MYTHOLOGY 


compared wrm 


HISTORY: 


Oil 


THE FABLES OF THE ANCIENTS 


ei uc; d.iT f.D r jm 


HISTORICAL RECORDS. 


FOR THE USE OF YOUNG PERSONS. 


TO WHICH IS NOW FIR T ADDED, 


AN ENQUIRY INTO THE RELIGION 

OF THE 

ITU ST INHABITANTS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 


TOGETHER WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE 


ANCIENT DRUIDS. 


DEDICATED TO THE 


EIGHT 1IOW. LADY BARBARA PLEYDELL BO UVERIE. 


1L M. L'ABBL D L TRUSS AN; 


TRANSr.ATKD FROM THE FRENCH 


By II. NORTH. 


- -~—C: 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR T, CADE LI > JUN. AND W. DAVIES, IN TJIE STRAND, 

1797. 



TO THE 


RIGHT HONOURABLE LADA 


r 


BARBARA PLEYDELL BOUVERIE 


M A D A I, 

1 venture with the greater 
confidence to dedicate this work to your 
Ladyfhip, as it is in Lome degree your own; 
and fhould it meet with any fuccefs, it is to 
you I fhall think myfelf indebted for it. 

I forefee that, unafiuming as you are, you 
will difclaim all title to this eulogium ; you 
difplay only the fprightlinefs and graces fo 
natural to your age; you feem wholly occu¬ 
pied by your amufoments, and it is to a faith¬ 
ful memory, that you attribute the fatisfac- 
tion afforded by your anfwers. You will fay 
then, you will even believe, that you owe all 

u 2 


to 


IV 


DEDICATION. 


to the care of your matters. I certainly fliall 
not combat this modetty, which gives luttre 
to every quality ; but though the truth may 
coft you fome embarrattment, I mutt tell it 
all. You will recollect. Madam, that when 
we began by reading together Le Diblionaire 
cic la Fable, I can fed, as it were, all Olym¬ 
pus to pafs in.review before you. The long 
lilt of perfonages wearied, without intereft- 
ing you, yet fome names ftruck your atten¬ 
tion forcibly, by their refemblancc to thofe 
with which your progrefs in antient hittory 
had made you acquainted ; from that time I 

found in your own talents the means of en- 

✓ 

gaging you in the ftudy of Mythology, by 
explainin'.' to you its relation to hittory. 

Being prettnf at your Jettons, I have fre¬ 
quently feen vou employ the pencil, in cor¬ 
rectly imitating the drawings given you to 
cony; this gave me an opportunity of mtn- 
i ioninp; the works ol Xeuxis, Phidias, Apelles, 

O A 

► 

♦ 

and other celebrated A it ills, which formed the 


mealed: 

O 



DK DICATIOM. 


V 


greateft ornaments of the temples of antiquity. 
On hearing you awake the tones of the Piano 
Forte, I fpoke to you of the power of mufic 
I mentioned to you Orpheus, the fon of 
Apollo and Calliope; I deferibed to you the 
temple of the Mules, and you learnt with 
plcafure that Terplichorc prodded over thofe 
lively, airy dances, which ferve at once to 
umufe and ftrengthen you, and to give free¬ 
dom and grace to all your motions. 


It was thus, by feeing the fucccfs with 

'AInch you rewarded the pains bellowed on 

your education, that I felt the greateft defire 
«* ^ 

to contribute to your improvement; and it 
was for that purpofe, that i endeavoured to 
find a method of <nvin>? you at the lame time 


a iuiiicient knowledge of Mythology, and of 

O * KjJ ' 

proving to you, that it alrnoft always has its 
origin in ancient hiftorv and tradition. This 

o s 

work prefented many diihculties, but you in¬ 


spired emulation, and vourappoltte quell 
repeatedly fuggefted to me what 1 fought. 



Accept 



Vi 


DEDICATION". 


Accept then the homage of a tafk, which 
owes its exigence to you. Were the public 
to fee, and hear you, the Author would be 
overlooked, you would be the only objedt of 
admiration, and the wifli of every parent 
would be, that their children might equal 
you. 

Iam, Madam, 

With the greatell: refpedl, 

Your Ladyship’s 


Very humble fervant, 

M. TRESSAN. 



ADDRESS 


r » o 


THE TRANSLATO K. 


■SL¬ 



AVING long been engaged in the inflruflion of 
youth, particularly of the female lex, it. was with 
peculiar fatisfatlion I undertook the translation of a 
work which feemed to me fo eminently qualified to 
convey to them a fpecies of knowledge, which the 
general plan of their education in fomc mcafurc excludes 
them from the pofiibility of acquiring. The comprc- 
henfive manner in which the fubjeft is viewed, the order 
and connexion obferved in the arrangements; but above 
all, that Angular delicacy which pervades every part of 
it, gives the treatife of Mr. l’Abbe de TrelTan, in my 
opinion, a decided fuperiority over any publication of 
the kind cxifting in the EngiiJh language. 

With 


i 



Vj II 


ADDRESS FROM THE TRANSLATOR. 


With refpeft to my own performance, I have endea¬ 
voured faithfully to render the fenfe of my author, and as 

% 

far as poflible to obferve eafe and freedom in my ffyle ; 
fhould I have fucceeded, I have attained the fummit oi 
my wifhes; fhould I have failed, I deprecate feverc ccn- 
furc by an apology which is ever favourably received by 
a liberal and indulgent public : it is a fir ft attempt. 


N°. 16, Rupert-Strel'i. 

LnCESTER-S^UAKE, 


H. NORTH, 



PREFACE 


The French edition of Mythology com¬ 
pared with Iliftory being completely exhauilcd ; 
the author, encouraged by the flattering reception 
which that work experienced front an indulgent 
public, has thought it his duty to yield to the nu¬ 
merous folicitations of his friends, by giving a 
tranflation of it in the F.nglilh language. 

He has carefully made fuch corrections as ap¬ 
peared to him neceflary, and has annexed fome ad¬ 
ditional articles which are indifpenfable for thofe 
who wifli to have a general knowledge of Mytho¬ 
logy, and the progrefs of Paganifrn. It is for the 
public alone to determine, how far this perform¬ 
ance is worthy of being dedicated to the inftruClion 
of youth. 

l_.es talents, 1c zcle et les foins du tradutteur 
viennent do donner tin m trite reel a cet ouvrage , 
1’auteur faiflt avec emprdfement l’occafion d’en 
temoigner fa reconnoifllmce 




It is univerlully acknowledged, that to travel 
with advantage, to ellimate the capital productions 
of the arts, to read poets anil ancient authors, it is 

* IIht inodcfly compels my pm (o mtiLc a pa life. A com¬ 
pliment fo highly lm-mH;. 1 ilarc nornppr >pri:itc to my fcIf till 
aulliorifed by the faiVwlion uf the public. 


1 


> 


requt • 



X 


PREFACE. 


requifite to have a competent knowledge of My¬ 
thology; confcquentiy we fhall not dwell upon 
the necdiity of cultivating that fpecies of ftudy; 
but that it might equally fuit every age, it was ne- 
ceffary to obferve the mod 
the method of conveying inftrudtion of this kind. 
The author is happy and proud to repeat it, that 
every parent who has done him the honour of fub~ 
feribing to his work, has condefcended to give him 

O * O 

the flattering aflurance, that, after having atten- 

v) O 

lively examined it, they have found that they might 
with the greateft fafety abandon it to the life of 
their children. We wilh our readers to obferve. 


fcrupulous attention to 


that our object being to give a complete idea of 
Mythology and the origin of idolatry, it lias been 
unavoidably neceflary to take a general view, and 
return to the fir ft ages of the world. 

o 

It is not an abridgment by way of queftion and 
anfwcr we have wiflicd to prelent, it is not Amply 
a knowledge of the heathen divinities we have 
intended to give; encouraged by the genius of a 
great nation, fond of refleftion and profound lhidy, 
which knows how to avail itfelf of the happy dif- 
pofitions of youth, to accuftom it to the nobleft 
and moft arduous purfuits, we have thought it our 
duty to ibar above the common track, anil have 
endeavoured by every method to point out the true 


lources to which it is neceflary to recur for real in 


formation. If ionic think we arc liable to cenfure 



n 



PRIFACT 


M 


for not having the entered more fully into many 
of the fubjefts, and for having omitted feveral 
names in the lift of thofe called Divinities of a 
particular fpecies, our reply is, that this lift alone 
would require volumes, and an fiver no other pur- 
pole than fatiguing tlie memory, without giving 
any eflential i n ft null ion ; it is by reading the prin¬ 
cipal productions of great mailers that v/e acquire 
a knowledge of thole names, and then the trouble 
of retaining them will be repaid by the charms v/e 
ill a 11 find diffuled through their works. 

Our principal objedt has always been to take a 
general view of Mythology, to trace it from its 
origin, to follow it through its wanderings, and mark 
its every Hep; it is the more efieclually to accoin- 
piifli this end that wo have added an account of 
the religion of the fir(l inhabitants of Great Britain, 
and the hiftory of the Druids: the names of thele 
priefts are fo celebrated, and we fti 11 fo frequently 
meet with vellin.es of their religious ceremonies, 

V. i i * 

that it would in a manner be unpardonable to be 
totally ignorant of what concerns them. 

If the former part of this work is thought to 
exceed the capacity ol youth in general, parents or 
preceptors may rhemleives, by the progrefs of 
their pupils, judge the period when it will be of 
utility to bring them back to it, and at firfl it will 
be fuflicicnt to teach them the divifion of the ]>agan 
deities, and the particular hillorics of the gods. 

We 



XII 


PREFACE, 


We have, as frequently as poflible, compared 
fiiTton with hi fiery, and given explanations of the 
fables, in order, as much as lay in our power, to 
add to the numerous objects of inferuftion pre¬ 
ferred to youth in England: this method \vc 
have carefully followed, having obferved that all 
tutors make a point of imprefilng upon the me¬ 
mory of their fchoiars, the chronology of eimEres 

* J Jl 

and th-dr moft remarkable events. By the method 


and ti.-dr moft remarkable events. By the method 
which ve have obferved, Mythology will in fome 

J * C > J 

degree be only a continuation of the ftudy ofluftory. 

TliC work of the learned Abbe Banier is only 
proper for thole perfons who are accuilomed tq 
refearches into antiquity: but we take this oppor¬ 
tunity of declaring, that, notwithstanding our care 
in confulting the moll e (teemed authors, it is prin¬ 
cipally this able matter who has been our guide. 

The dcia Fable , by Chompre, lias great 

merit, till d is even nccefllyy in aflifling the me¬ 
mory, but. being arranged in alphabetical order, 
and containing no liilloncal elucidation, it mufl be 

\ J J 

]ud*?cd iiiiuiTulent. 

J < • 

The Mctamorpholhsoi Ovid, as well as the works 
of other poets, can by no means be Riled a com¬ 
plete fy item of mythology; and hcTulcs are not; 
adapted to the capacity of every defeription of 


readers: thde are the reaious which 1c 


i,. 


us to 


imdcrt/.ke this work, wlfu.h we hope will be found 
worth', of tin- public appiobadoii. 


v. v a' n'' i. o < ■ v 



C I ] 


MYTHOLOGY 


COM PA RED WITH 


HISTORY. 



Refleilions upon the Origin oi Iuolaikv. 


If we wifTi to trace the origin of idolatry, 
we mu ft afeend to the origin of the paffions. 

Sacred Writ alone can teach us the true caufe 
of the mifcries, and dilbrders of the human race. 
That celeftial light has alone the power of difll- 
pating the gloom : and it is by taking this for his 
guide, that man, perceiving at once his weaknefs 
and his pride, ceafes at laft to be the fport of his 
doubts. We jfhail not repeat the inftrudions 
didated by the Almighty himfelf: they are known 
to all our readers. It is from this pure and facred 
fource, that the eloquent BofTuet drew the firft 
principles, and elements, of his immortal difcourfe 
on Univerfal Hi (Tory. 

Let us content ourlHves with following him, 
when, fupported by holy fcripture, he grafps the 
whole extent of hiftory, and traces, with a maf- 

B tcrlv 





PRELIMINARY REFLECTIONS. 


terly hand, the rapid, but fublime pidure, of the 
infancy cf the world. 

<c Every thing has a beginning, and there is no 
hiftory, however ancient, in which we cannot 
difeover evident marks of the recent creation of 
the world. 

cc We fee laws eflablifhed, manners polifhed, 
empires formed, and the human race inftruded 
by experience, gradually emerge from a ftate of 
ignorance. Arts are invented, mankind increafe, 
the earth is peopled : precipices, mountains, feas, 
rivers, are no longer obftacles—all are furmounted. 
Levelled woods give place to Helds, to paftures, 
villages, towns, and cities; man bends even 
metals to his life, and by degrees makes all 
nature fubfervient to it. 

<c Eut as the diftance from the originals increafed, 
men confounded the ideas they had received from 
their anceftors ; the human mind debafed could no 


longer elevate itfelf, and men becoming unwilling to 

O o 

ruloic wh.at they did not ice, idolatry Ip read itfelf 
over the whole univerle. Vet an obfeure idea of 
the Divine Power maintained itfelf by its own 
force; but, confounded with the images intro¬ 
duced by the lenfes, they adored whatever ap¬ 
peared to have any motion or power: thus the 
fun, the planets, whole influence was felt from f<> 
great a diftance ; Hue, the elements fo univerlal 
in tlieir efteds, became the lirft objeds of public 

•■.Jo ration, 



3 


\ 

PRELIMINARY REFLECTIONS, 

adoration. Men bore the penalty of fubmitting 
themfelves to their fenfes ; all was determined by 
them, and, in fpite of reafon, they created all the 
gods that were adored upon earth. 

“ In the time of Abraham, and a little while 
after, the knowledge of the true God appeared 
ftill to fubfift in Palefline, and in Egypt. 

cc Melchifedeck king of Salem, was the prieft 
of the moft High God, who made heaven and 
earth. 

fc Abimelech king of Gerar, and his fuccelTor 
who bore the fame name, feared God, fwore by 
his name, and admired his power. The threats 
of this mighty God were dreaded by Pharaoh 
king of Egypt ■, but, in the time of Mofes, the 
nations were fallen into idolatry, the true God 
was no longer known in Egypt as the God of the 
univerfe, but only as the God of the Elebrews; 
they adored even animals and reptiles: every 
thing was God, except God himfelf.” 

In this pidlure, traced by the hand of genius, 
we fee prophane hiftory, always doubtful, when 
it willies to penetrate the obfcurity of diftant 
ages, fubmit its narrations to the authority of 
fcripture, and draw them from that infallible 
fource, which alone can enlighten us upon the 
formation of the univerfe. We fee the caufe of 
the firfl errors and diforders, and ceafe to be 
-iftonifhcd cc at feeing the human mind.hurried on 

r ?. by 



4 


PRELIMINARY' RLI- LECTIONS. 


by a blind impreflion, fink into idolatry without 
the poffibility of preventing it. Man regarding 
as divine whatever was powerful, and feeling 
himfelf drawn with irrefiftible force towards vice, 
thought that this force was fomething different 
from himfelf, and formed it into a god : thence it 
was, that altars were raifed to impiety, and that 
man tormented by remorfe, regarded the Divinity 
as an enemy, who was not to be appealed by 
common victims: impelled by terror, parents 
facrificed even their children, and burnt them for 
incenfe to their gods." 

After having leen thefe fir ft caufes, let us 
confider how man could fall into a ilate of 
degeneracy, which continually increafed as he 

advanced in life. 

The firft families multiplied. The earth no 
longer fmiled upon man, it no longer yielded 
fpontaneoufly. The necellity of finding fubfift- 
ence conftrained diem firft to emigrate. 

New fruits, new fields, were to be fought; 
and thefe families, at their departure, carried 
with them impreflions which nothing could efface. 

They had not feen that delightful garden—the 
abode of innocence—where the firft man had 


been placed during 
but the defeription 


the former part of his life, 
of it had been tranfmitted 


from age to age, and the defire of Jiappinefs, that 


mo ft conllant and irrefiftible of all delircs, per- 




PRELIM I MARY REFLECTIONS. 


petuated the remembrance of it ; perhaps even a 
vague hope of again finding it determined thefe 
wandering families to diredt their fteps towards 
unknown regions. But thefe pleafing illufions of 
hope, loon gave place to the molt melancholy 
reality. 

As they advanced, they found nothing but the 
wrecks of the globe, as it were, which the 
univerlal deluge had overthrown from its foun¬ 
dation ; and the dangers which threatened them at 
every ftep, imprinted the remembrance of it in 
indelible characters. After fruitlefs and painful 
relearches, the necefiity of fubfifting compelled 
them to flop, and apply themfelves to labour. 
But what obftacles had they to furmount ? Im- 
menfe'forefts impenetrable to the rays of the fun, 
infefted with venomous reptiles, and wild beads ; 
marfhes, which art had not yet taught how to 
drain ; barren plains, or which produced nothing 
but brambles: thefe were the new domains 
rcTerved for man. All nature feemed in arms 
againd him, which ever way he turned. Inflead 
of fafety and repole, he found fatigue and death, 
and, to complete his mi lory, he Hill preferved 
the remembrance o( his primitive happinds. 
Yet he mufl either work or perifh. Some portions 
of ground were cultivated, but he, who by the 
fwrat of his brow could fcarce procure food for 
bimfdf and family, had no thought of being 

c 3 generous : 



*'b PRELIMINARY REFLECTIONS. 

generous: he inclofed his fields, he defended his 
harvefts; and, as their prefervation alone could 
infure his own exiftence, he threatened with 
death whoever fhould attempt to deprive him of 
them. 

It was thus that a right to property was firft 
eftablifhed among men, whom the fear of perifh* 
ing with mifery, and hunger, foon armed againft 
each other. 

A facher of a family, furrounded by his chil¬ 
dren, it may eafily be conceived, would have long 
remained in peaces but prefied by other men, 
purfued by the fame necefTities, whofe induftry or 
labours were not equal to his own, he was foon 
obliged to make ufe of force to repel their depre¬ 
dations. The inftruments which ferved to fruc¬ 
tify the earth, became the inftruments of death * 
War arofe, and when this terrible fcourge had 
let loofe its rage, cruelty and vengeance, fclfifh- 
nefs and injuftice over-ran the whole earth. 

Man then entirely occupied by his necefTities 
and paffions, thought the lefs of preferving the 
precepts and worfhip of the true God, as he had 
already loft the knowledge of him when he left 
his native land. Each fucceeding generation 
wandered ftill farther into the mazes of errorj 
wickednefs eftablifhed her empire; fhe alone 
gave laws, or rather plunged men into the mod 
horrible date of depravity, leaving them no 

other 



PR K I.IM IN ARY RKF LECTIONS. 


7 


other guide than their defires, and inordinate 

paffions. 

Let us leave thefe hordes of favages, their hiflory 
can only infpire us with horror, we fhall refume 
it hereafter, at the period when civilized colonies, 
conducted by experienced and courageous chiefs, 
came to refcue them from this deplorable condi¬ 
tion, by introducing among them more falutary 
laws and more gentle manners. 

The compendious hiflorical account of M. de 
Boffuet, is fufficient to inform us of the original 
eftablifhments of mankind, and in what manner 
they forgot the precepts received immediately 
from God: it likewife proves, that the remem¬ 
brance of great events could never have been 
loft, and that as foon as corruption had led men 
to imagine Gods, hiflorical truths and the bibu¬ 
lous hiflory of divinities muft have been con¬ 
founded together. 

Obfervation likewife brows us, that the inha¬ 


bitants of the call muft have efcaped that igno¬ 
rance and barbarity which difgraced thofe people 
who had penetrated into remote regions. 

The patriarchs had tranfmitted to the former 
a knowledge of their arts, and more noble ideas. 


and to this day, notwithftanding 


the ravages of 


ages, their works are the admiration of the whole 

u * 


world. 




8 


CHALDEAN TRADITIONS. 


To preferve fome order in thefe dark periods, 
and to explain the difference between the gods 
of the eaft, and thofe of the weft, we At all give 
fome of the opinions which are entertained con¬ 
cerning the traditions of the Chaldeans and 
Egyptians. 

We fhall fee, that it was among thefe people that 
idolatry firil had its rife, and it will appear in 
the courfe of this work, that it was colonies of thefe 
fame people, who introduced among the Greeks, 
and the inhabitants of the weft, laws, cuftoms, 
more civilized manners, and the greater part of 
their arts. 


In procefs of time, the Greeks tranfmitted them to 
the Romans, and it is to avoid confounding epochs, 
that we have divided the Pagan deities into two 
dalles, the Gods of the eaft, and the Gods of the weft. 


TRADITION or the CHALDEANS. 

It is among the people of Afta, that wc 
mull feck for the origin of idolatry. The Chal¬ 
deans were undoubtedly one of the moll ancient 
people of the earth. 

Their full king was Nimrod; he is fuppofed 
to be the author of the mad attempt of the tower 
of Babel, and lived in the time of the Phaleg. 

Notwith- 



CII AI.DF.AN TRADITIONS. 


9 


Notwithflanding the difficulty of afcending to 
fo diftant a period, there are always to be found 
fome traces by which truth may be difcovered. 


other 


from age to 


Hidorians, fucceeding each 
age, have flood in need of authorities to fupport 
their writings; they have had recourfe to the 
fragments of preceding hiflorians, and it is by 
carefully collecting thefe, that an attentive ob- 
ferver founds his remarks upon folid bafes, and 
avoids error, though the original writings of men 
be loft. The hiftorian Jofcplnis relates, that the 
Chaldeans, from the earliefl times, carefully pre- 
ferved the remembrance of pafl events, by public 
infcriptions and other monuments. He fays, they 
caufed their annals to be written by the wife ft 
men of their nation. To this, we may add, that 
there cannot be a greater proof of their antiquity 
than the refemblance between their defeription 
of the origin of the world, and that conveyed to 
us through the writings of Mofes. 

Four ancient authors* had written the hi dory 
of the Chaldeans; their works are lod, but fome 
fragments of them are dill to be met with in 
Fufebius, JofepJius, and Synrcllus; it is to the 
latter we are indebted for the following extradb 
from Bcrofus. 


* Abydcnus, Apollodorus, Jlcrofus, and Alexander Poly- 


tiillor. 


c ‘ A man. 



20 


C H A I. D r. A :>■ TRADITIO N' 5. 


<c A nan, or rather a monfter, half man and half 
fifh, coming from the red fea, appeared near 
Babylon; he had two heads; one, which was the 
higheft, refembled that of a man, the other that 
of a fifh. 

<( He had the feet of a man, and the tail of a 
fifh; and his fpeech and voice refembled that of 
a man : a representation of him is {till preferved. 
This monfter, according to the Chaldean author, 
dwelt by day with men, but took no food; he 
gave them the knowledge of letters, arts, and 
fciences; he taught them to build towers and 

J o 

temples; and to eftabiiih laws; he inftru&ed 
them in the principles of geometry; taught them 
to few, and to gather the fruits of the earth; in 
fhort, whatever could contribute to polifh and 
civilize their manners. At fun fet he retired to 
the fea, in which he pa fled the night. 

There appeared likewife others of the fame 
fpecies, and Bcrofus had promifed to explain 
thefe myfteries, in his hiftory of kings, but of that 
there are now no remains. This fifh was called 
Oannes. 

<c l ie left fume v, jitings upon the origin of the 

e ' i O 


work!, in which 


fiv-s that there was a time. 


in* which all was dathnei'., ami water, and that 
tills dark ik*I s, and water, contained monilious 
animals.” 

j iowever lingular this llorv ivi;.v be, it apjnais 



t 


CHALDEAN TRADITIONS. 


I 1 


to be only a diftorted tradition of the creation of 
the world, taken from the writings of Mofes; we 
ought particularly to remark that part, where he 
fays, that darknefs and water once covered the 
face of the earth. 

In vain does the human mind endeavour to 
corrupt truth, it always leaves fome enlightening 
veftige by which it may be known. We may 
perceive that the Chaldean author at once ap¬ 


proaches too near the origin of the world 


not 


to be convinced of its recent creation, and is too 
far from the facred fource, where he mkdit have 

W-/ 

informed himfelf, to have any knowledge of that. 
We find him furrounded with nothing but dif- 
ligured and confufed traditions; yet the order, 
vifible in the univerfc, made lucli an improfiioii 
on his imagination, that it was caller for him to 
believe thcle perverted traditions which fncak 
of an all-powerful God, Creator of all tilings, than 
that whatever furrounded him was eternal, or 
lelf created. Let us farther obferve, that if we 
trace the etymology of the word Oannes, it appears 
to be derived from the Syrian word Oncdo, 
which fignifies traveller. This fhows then, that 

CJ ' 

at a period, which cannot be determined, a man 
arrived by fen, from whom the Chaldeans received 
fome principles of philofophy, and a knowledge of 
ancient traditions; and liuii lie left them written 
information on theft.* iiibjcds. lie is rep re- 


(. 


ft'iucd 



1 2 


CHALDEAN TRADITIONS. 


fented as half man, and half fifh, becaufe he came 
from the fea, and was cloathed with the fkins of 

fifh. 

As he retired every evening to his veffel, and 
took his repafts on board of it, they feigned that 
he took no food, and paffed the night in the fea. 
A fragment of Heladius, ftill extant, relates the 
hiftory of Oannes, and gives this explanation of 
his pretended form of a fifh. Such was the tra¬ 
dition of the Chaldeans, concerning the origin of 
the world. 

The ancient altronomical obfervations of the 
Chaldeans, and the antiquity which they attribute 
to their nation, are lb frequently ipoken of with 
aftonifhment, that to elucidate this hiftorical my- 
flery, we think it neceffary to relate the manner 
in which they reckoned their time, and reigns. 

The Chaldeans counted their generations and 
reigns by fares: they likewife divided time into 
i:cres, and ffes. 

The fare , confided of three thoufand, fix hun¬ 
dred years: the nere , of fix hundred, and the fofe } 
of fixty. 

This method of computing feems to give an 
infinite number of years to the duration of the 
reigns of their firlt monarchs. 


But the Univerfal I Jiftory, publifhcd by an 
I'lnglilh focietv, Scaliger, and feveral learned ob- 
fervers, agree in informing us, that the Chaldeans 


nave 



CHAI.DEAN TRADITIONS. 


*3 

crave the name of years to their days; fo that by 
reducing the calculation of three thoufand fix 
hundred years, which compofed a fare , to three 
thoufand fix hundred days, we lhall find, that the 
number of years, related by thefe ancient authors, 
is almoft exactly the fame as that given by Moles, 
to the duration of the lives of the ancient patri¬ 
archs. This comparifon is the more correct, as 
it is found to be perfectly conformable to aflro- 
nomical obfervations. 

Mr. Bailli, in his hiftory of Ancient Aftronomy, 
proves the truth of this calculation: he traces 
from eclipfe to eclipfe, and by counting days for 
years, he arrives at thofe mentioned by the 
Chaldeans. 

It is thus that vanity has frequently thrown a 
veil over antiquity; each nation Milling to give 
as late a date as polhble to the epoch ol its 
origin. 

The Chaldeans nive the hiflory of their ten irrft 
kings; the laft of which was Xixutrus. They 
fay, that it was in his time the deluge happened. 
We fit all give their account of him, to prove its 
correfpondence with facred hiftory. Tins frag¬ 
ment will likewife fliow, that the fabulous accounts 
of antiquity are founded upon ancient traditions, 
and are not merely the production of fancy. 

Chronus, or Saturn, having appeared in a dream 

to 



*4 <jHAt.nr.AM tradition:-. 

to Xixutrus, Informed him, that on the fifteenth 
day of the month Dcefius the human race would 
be deftroycd by a deluge ■, and ordered him to 
write down the origin, hiflory, and end of all 
things, and to conceal this account under the 
earth, in the city of the fun, called Sippara ; after¬ 
wards to build a vefiel, furnifh it with provifions, 
and to enter into it, himfelf, his family, and friends, 
taking likewife with him birds, and four footed 
animals. Xixutrus punblually obeyed thefe orders, 
and built a vefiel, two ftadia broad, and five long, 
which he had no fooner entered, than the earth was 
covered with water. 

Sometime afterwards, perceiving that the wa¬ 
ters were abated, he lent forth fome birds, 
which finding neither food, nor place of refi, 
returned to the vefiel. Some days after, he libe¬ 
rated others, which returned with mud upon their 
claws; the third time when difeharged, they 
returned no more, which led him to believe that 
the earth began to be fufficiently dry. 

lie then made an opening in the vefiel, and 
feeing it had flopped upon a mountain, he came 
out of it, with his wife, daughter, and the pilot, 
paid his adorations to the earth, railed an altar, 
facrillced to the Gods, and afterwards, himfelf, 
with all thofe who had accompanied him, elifap- 
peared. Thole that remained in the vefiel, finding 

them 



CHALDEAN TRADITION'S. 


them not return, quitted the fame, and fought 
them every where but in vain. 

A voice was heard, informing them, that the 
piety of Xixutrus had merited his tranflation to 
heaven ; and that both he, and thole who accom¬ 
panied him, were now admitted among the number 
of the gods. The fame voice exhorted them to be 
religious, and having procured the records buried 
at Sippara, to proceed to Babylon. 

The voice having ceafed, they went and built 
the city juft mentioned, with feveral others. 

Such is the celebrated tradition of the Chaldeans, 
where we already find fabulous hiftory intermixed 
with facred. 

It is worthy remark, that Berofns in his Frag¬ 
ments, makes no mention of the time in which 
Oannes appeared. 

He begins his hiftory with thefe words, cc The 
fir ft year appeared this extraordinary man.” 

It is evident, then, that time does not commence 
from Oannes, but only that he firft enlightened 
the Chaldeans, and left them this tradition. 


i is.Mii i 1 (>\ 



EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 



TRADITION OF the EGYPTIANS. 



OME 


among the Egyptians believed. 


that there exifted a Supreme Intelligence who 
created the world; and that in man there likewife 
exifted an intelligence fuperior to the body., which 

was the foul. 

But this great, this fublime idea, was admitted 
and received, only by a few more enlightened 
than the reft; and as the knowledge of fo impor¬ 
tant a fecret gave them a fuperiority over other 
men, they confidered it of inoft ineftimable value, 
and involved it in impenetrable myfterics. 

None were admitted to the knowledge of thefe 


myfteries, till they had undergone the molt terri¬ 
ble probation, which was called their initiation. 

The religion of the people was the groHeft 
-idolatry. Struck with the fight of the fun, and 
the other ftars and planets, they fuppofed that 
thefe luminous bodies Viere fovereigns of the 
world, and th.e only gods who governed it. 

They called the fun Oliris, and the muon Kb. 
Ofiris fignifies full of eyes, very clear fighted. 

Ills fmnifics the ancient, became thev thounht 

o * J 

the moon to be eternal. 

But they did not Hop here. When once we 
are bewildered in obfeurity, every Hep we take 

i increafes 



EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 


increafes our perplexity 3 the Egyptians acknow¬ 
ledged eight principal deities, the Sun, Saturn, 


Juno 


and Mcr 


cury or Hermes. 

Chronos, or Saturn, having cfpoulcd Rhea, 
became the father of Ofiris and Ills, or according 


to others, 


of 


J 


and J 


The latter 


make Jupiter the parent or 


fi ve 


other 


gods; 


O 


n 

4 : t- ■ c 
1 li 1 j 


Kis, Typhon, Apollo, and Aphrodite or 

\ emus. They add that Ofiris was the fame as 

* 

Bacchus, and Ilis the lame as Ceres. 

We have here mentioned the names of thefc 
deities, becaufe we Brail continually meet with 
them among the gods of the weft, that is of the 
Greeks and Romans, which will prove in the 
molt convincing manner, that the former received 
their religious ceremonies, and divinities, from 
Egyptian, and Phoenician colonies, which fettled 


amongtl them and civilized them. 

o 

t he Egyptian mythology, fays Plutarch, is of 
two descriptions, one Sacred and fublime, the 


otln 


* t’ 


ienlible and palpable. 


It is 


on 


uoors 


that 
of 


account tiny place Sphynxes at the 
their temples: they willi us by that to underhand, 
that their theology contains the iecrets of whilom, 
couched in enigmatical expreDions. 

To the fame eaule we may attribute the fol- 
J;.a irp infeription on a llatue of Minerva, or IBs, 


C 


at 



EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 


l6 


TRADITION of the EGYPTIANS. 



OME 


among the Egyptians believed 


that there exifted a Supreme Intelligence who 
created the world; and that in man there likewife 
exifted an intelligence fuperior to the body., which 
was the foul. 

But this great, this fublime idea, was admitted 
and received, only by a few more enlightened 
than the reft ; and as the knowledge of fo impor¬ 
tant a fecret gave them a fuperiority over other 
men, they confidered it of molt ineflitnable value, 
and involved it in impenetrable mylleries. 

None were admitted to the knowledge of thefe 
myfteries, till they had undergone the molt terri¬ 
ble probation, which was called their initiation. 

The religion of the people was the grolfeft 
idolatry. Struck with the fight of the fun, and 
the other flats and planets, they fuppofed that 
thefe luminous bodies w^re fovercitms of the 
world, and the only gods who governed it. 

They called the fun Oliris, and the moon His. 
Ofiris fignifics full of eyes, very clear lighted. 

Ills fignifics the ancient, becauic tlu v thouHif. 

c J o 

the moon to be eternal. 

But they did not Hop here. When once we 
are bewildered in obfeurity, every Hep we take 

a few 


i 


mcreuies 



EGYPTIAN TRADITION’S. 


*7 


increafes our perplexity ; the Egyptians acknow¬ 
ledged eight principal deities, die Sun, Saturn, 
Rhea, Jupiter, Juno, Vulcan, Vella, and Mer¬ 
cury or Hermes. 

Chronos, or Saturn, having efpoufed Rhea, 
became the father of Oliris and Ills, or according 


to others, of Jupiter and Juno. The latter 
make Jupiter the parent of five other 


gods : 


Ofiris, His, Typhon, Apollo, and Aphrodite or 
Venus. They add that Oliris was the lame as 
Bacchus, ami Ills the fame as Ceres. 


We Lave here mentioned the names 


of tilt 




C 


deities, becaufe we fit all continually meet with 
them among the gods of the weft, that is of the 
Greed..; and Romans, which will prove in the 
moll' convincing manner, that the former received 


their religious ceremonies, and divinities, from 
Ervntian, and Phoenician colonies, which fettled 

v * L ' 

among!! them and civilizetl them. 

o 

The Egyptian mythology, fays Plutarch, is of 
two delcriptions, one ftcred and fublimc, the 
other lenlible and palpable. It is on that 
account tiny place Sphynxcs at the doors of 
rheir temples: they willi us by that to underhand, 
that their theology contains the iccrets of whilom, 
couched in enigmatical exprefllons. 

To the lame eaufe we may attribute the fol¬ 
lowing infeription on a llatue of Minerva, or Ills, 


C 


a i 



i8 


lgyptian traditions. 


at Sals:— ct I am whatever is, whatever was, what¬ 
ever fhall be, and mortal never yet has railed the 
veil that covers me.” 

We fee, then, that the Egyptian theology 
had two fignifications, one facred and fymbolical, 
the other vulgar and literal. The reprefentation 
of animals in their temples which they feemed 
to adore, were only hieroglyphicks, intended as 
fymbols of divine attributes. 

It is by comparing thefe different obfervations, 
that we fir all be enabled to comprehend how the 
Egyptians, fo famous for the vaftnefs of their 
works, the wifdom of their laws, and cuftoms, 
and their extenfive knowledge of the fciences, 
fliould at the fame time be ib blinded by fnper- 
ftition, as to worfhip infects, reptiles, plants, 
and animals. Hiftoriaus both facred and pro- 
phane, fpeak of this as one of the wife ft of 
nations; and one of the eulogiums which the 
infpired writings pafs on Moles, and on Solomon, 
is, that they were (killed in all the fciences of 
the Egyptians. We muft carefully diftinguifh 
then, between die ignorance which reigned among 
the multitude, and the profound wifdom of thofe 
who cultivated die fciences, and had read the works 


attributed to Hermes Trilmegiflus, or thrice great. 


According 


to this celebrated man. 


C C 


God 


tc Cxified in Jus folar unity before all beings. 


K 


He 



TRADITION'S. 


t* r* * + *\ *** * • \ f 

EG i r i i a.-. 


IQ 


<c j-j e is the fource of all that is intelligent. The 
c< hi-fi. incomprehenfible principle. Himleli all- 
tc diffident, and father of all offences.” 

Vve are under no apprehenfion of fatiguing cur 
leaders by thefe quotations. Every one endowed 
v,irh the gift of reafon mud v/ifh to know the 

which the fil'd philofophcrs of the world 


idea 


entertained of the Divinity. 

We dial] likewile vivo the celebrated Zoroafter’s 

o 

definition of him ; it is the mod beautiful pro- 
claction of antiquity. F.ufebius has preferved it 
in his Evangelical Prcnarntion; he tranferibed 

O i 

it literally from a book of Zoroader’s dill extant 
in his time, entitled A Sacred Collection of 
Perl!an Monuments. 

God is the fird of incomiptibles, eternal, not 

begotten, lie is not compofed of parts, there 

is nothing like him, or equal to him : He is 

the author of all good, the mod excellent of 

all excellent beings, and the wiled of all Intel- 

ligences; the father of judice and good laws, 

felf-indrudted, all-fufHcient in himiell, and the 

original author of all nature. 

Tilde fublitne definitions of the divinitv, 

* 

prove that there have cxifled fume men of a 

knowledge fuperior to the ages in which tliey 

lived, who had collected the information prr- 

d rved by ancient traditions ; but their number 

"■as lo finall, that thev were not liiliieient to 

* 

c a lb)i} 



20 


EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 


flop the progrefs of ignorance, and the moft 
abfurd idolatry. 

The farther we advance in the knowledge of 
mythology, the more clearly we fin all perceive 


that the greater part of their divinities were 
either men rendered illuftrious by their actions, 
or beings entirely fabulous. A drift examina¬ 
tion will fhew us, that the majority of fictions 
owe their birth to ignorance or flattery. 

But to give them authority, it was neceflary 
to attribute to them a divine origin, and to 
drefs them in the mod amiable colours; in 
thefe irregular fancies the poets indulged thetn- 
felves the more freely, as they were certain of 
being lupported by the paflions, and inclinations 
of men. 

Truth was covered with a veil; falfehood, as 
it w'erc, came and threw over her his garments, 
ml the better to conceal his impofture, he 
left her ibme of her mod plcafing qualities, nay 
he even pcrfidioutly undertook to embellifh them, 

It is thus the poets liavc disfigured ancient 
events, the remembrance of which had been pre- 
l’ervcd by tradition, and religious longs. 

Since religion has difoellcd the darkneis of 

X 

idolatry, it has been found ncccfliiry to give a 
new name to a collection of failles, which Hill 
puffe fifed many charms, as they were adorned 
with all the beauties of uuctry. 


n 

CL 


They 



EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 


21 


They are called Mythology : a word de- 


Logcs 


rived from Mylhos — fabulous, and 

dilcourle. 

After having pointed out the difference between 
the poets and philofophers, it ftill remains for us 
to obferve, that it was among the eaftern nations, 
and particularly the Egyptians, that the moft 
celebrated men of the ealt acquired their greateft 
knowledge. 

This was the ichool of Thales, Pythagoras, 
and Plato. Orpheus, whole principles the Pytha¬ 
goreans adopted, 

Hefiod and Homer, went for inflruction into 
Egypt j it was from thence he brought the 
following definition of the Divinity. 

<c There exifts an unknown being, who is the 
higheft, and moft ancient of all beings, and author 
of all things ; this fublime being is life, light. 


and who lived long before 


and knowledge. Theie three names are exprcfiive 
of that power, which, out of nothing, formed all 
things, cc vifible and invifible.” 

In a fecond paffage, not lefs eloquent, he gives 
a name to this unknown being: 




The univerfc was formed 


J 


the 


heavens, profound Tartarus, the earth, and 
ocean, the immortal gods and goddeffes 5 what¬ 
ever is, whatever was, whatever fhall be, were 
. 1 . liiLtined in, and proceed from, the 

c 3 fruit lb 



<1 O! 


EGYPTIAN TRADITIONS. 


fruitful bofom of Jupiter. He is the firfl and 
the lafl, the beginning and the end. All beings 
are emanations from him, he is the life and caufe 
of all things; he is the firfl father, there is 
only one power, one god, one king, who go¬ 
verns all.” 

Such were the l'ublime ideas Orpheus received 
from the Egyptians; but they were only com¬ 
municated to him, becaufe he had been initiated 
into the language called (acred, and into the 
knowledge of myfleries, which were concealed 


from the multitude. 

We fir all fee in the courfe of this work, under 
the article demi-gods and heroes, who were the 
chiefs, that led the Egyptian and Phoenician 
colonies into Greece. 

We jfhall at the fame time fee, that by intro¬ 
ducing their laws, cufioms, arts, and divinities; 
they likewife introduced the knowledge of ancient 
traditions which they had corrupted. 

This curicrv view is Efficient to fhew that 
the fables of antiouity arc founded upon real 


c 


vents 


•* 



ORIGIN’ or IDOLATRY. 


-3 


THE ORIGIN OF IDOLATRY. 


The word idolatry is derived from two 

9 

Greek words, which fignify zvorflnp and reprc- 
[entalion. 

It appears that it is in the family of Cham 
we muft feek for the firft' appearance of idolatry. 
The unhappy children of a father already labour¬ 
ing under a parent’s curie, were the firft to 
forget the wife counfcl of Noah, and abandon¬ 
ing themfelves to their pafilons, fought fenfible 
-objects to which they might pay their fuper- 
ftitious adoration. The two fons of Cham, 
Chanaan, and Mifraim, having fettled in Phoe¬ 
nicia and Egypt, we may fuppole it was in thefe 
two countries that idolatry had its birth. Lucian 
fays exprefsly, that the Egyptians were the firft 
who paid foie inn adoration to the gods. Hero¬ 
dotus, at the beginning of Ills hiftory, fays 
confidently, the Egyptians were the firft who 
diftinguilhed the twelve principal gods by their 
names; and it is from them, that the Greeks 


acquired their knowledge of thefe divinities. 
Sacred hiftory itlelf deferibes Egypt as the centre 
of idolatry. 

There, it fays in different places, reigned 
magic, divinations, foothfavings, and interpre- 


c .1 


cations 



*4 


FIRST OBJECT OF IDOLATRY. 


tations of dreams, the unhappy fruits of idolatrous 
worfhip. 

In the time of Mofes, idolatry was at its 
higheft pitch. He even feems to have given the 
Jews fo great a number of precepts only to render 
their ceremonies entirely the reverfe of thofe of 
the Egyptians. 

This then is undoubtedly the country where 
idolatry firft began; from thence it fpread into 
the eafi, into the countries inhabited by the 
dcfcendants of Shem; into Chaldea, Mefopo- 
tamia, and the adjacent parts; it was afterwards 
carried into the weft, among the children of 
Japhet, that is into Afia Minor, Greece, and the 
neighbouring ifles. 

In Egypt, and Phoenicia, then, idolatry had 
its birth. 



FIRST OBJECT Of IDOLATRY. 


IVIln perceiving the earth to be filled 

with good and evil, and having no longer the 

♦ 

ficreu traditions to guide them, could not believe 
that a being, who is himfelf eftentially good, 
could be the author of evil; they, therefore, 
imagined two divinities equal in power, and both 
eternal. One, which was called the good prin¬ 
ciple, 



FIRST OBJF.CT OF IDOLATRY. 


2 6 


ciple, they fuppofed the author of all good ; the 
other, which they called the bad principle, the 
author of all evil. 

Zoroafter found this doftrine eflablifhed amone 

o 

the Perfians. It is not known who this Zoroafter 
was, nor the precile time in which he lived. 
Some learned men agree with Voffius, in thinking 
him to be Mifraim himfelf, the fon of Cham, 
who after the death of his father was called 


Zoroafter, that is. 


the living ftar; 


becaufe he 


taught the Egyptians to worfhip the liars. But 
this opinion by no means agrees with the lublime 
definition of the divinity, taken from the works 
of Zoroafter himfelf, which we quoted ibme 
time back. A learned Englifh author, Tho¬ 
mas Hyde, who was better acquainted with the 
religion of the ancient Perfians than Voffius, has 
fully juftified Zoroafter, by proving that this cele¬ 
brated man, far from having introduced idolatry 
among the firft Egyptians, never lived among 
them, and was known to the Perfians alone in the 

time of Darius Hydafpes. I-Ie lays, he employed 

* 

all his efforts to deftroy thofe abl'urd opinions 
which men entertained, and to bring back the 
inoft realbnable, to the knowledge of one fingle 
principal Creator of heaven and earth : but find¬ 
ing the worfhip ol liars and planets the prevailing 
religion, and unwilling to offer too great violence to 
their tinderflandings, towards the fun, the principle 

6 of 



2 b 


FIRST OfiJFCT OF 11)01.ATRY 


of fertility to the earth, he inflituted feme reli¬ 
gious ceremonies, which are flill practiied in India 
among the Magi who are defeendants of the an¬ 
cient Perfians. Mr. Hyde adds, they adore but 
one God, the principle of all beings, and if 
they honour fire and the fun, it is becaufe they 
regard them as the pureft emblems of the 
Creator, and the temple where he has effablifhed 
his throne. 

Thefe magi are now very few in number. 
However it may be, the idolatry of the two prin¬ 
ciples, was of very ancient date in Egypt; and it 


was to exp refs tills that the Egyptians in their 
Theology—which abounds in fymbols—faid, that 
Oliris had inclofed in the egg, from which the 
world was originally produced, twelve white pyra- 
midical figures, to denote the infinite number of 
blefiings lie intended to fhower down upon men; 
but that Typhon his brother, the author of evil, 
having opemd this egg, introduced twelve black 
pyramids, the < auies of all the mileries with which 
the earth is over-rum 

Tin Perfians gave the name of Oromafes to the 
good: principle, and; that of Ariman to the bad. 

The Chaldea;::: reprefented them, under their 
b.;ni'_n and in.di; T in:..t planets. 


71 ! F. 



sr.coxD or jit r or inoi..vr;\ 



THE SECOND OBJECT OF IDOLATRY. 


rr 


.CIowever ancient the doctrine 


or 


t! 


two principles may be, many learned men are 
of opinion that the adoration of the flar:; is flill 
more fo. The idea of the divinity having never 

• vJ 

been entirely loll, it is probable that man, thonrdi 
by nature weak, yet proud, (lid not at fir ft pay 
divine honours to his fellow-creatures: Grander 
objects were neceftary to ieducc him. The fun 
by its beauty, theluftre of its beams, the regularity 
with which it by turns illumines the whole earth, 
and every where fpreads fertility, led ignorant 
men (already corrupted) to believe there was 
another God; or at leafc that this luminary was 
the throne of the divinity. 

Men incapable of conceiving the fublime idea 
of an invifible, and immaterial fubftance, Aw 
nothing in nature fo beautiful as the fun; pro¬ 
bably even gratitude had fome In are in their 
adoration ; they could not doubt but it was the 
iertili/.ing principle of nature, and as the difpenl'er 
of all that was aprccable or tileful to die human 


V- * 


lorries, thoiirdir it entitled to their liomnoe. 

k ^ ' K.t 

'i'he name of Sabi I’m, was mvon to that worfliip 
■^hirh was paid to liars mul plane!/;,. 

* Tl>r 

.1 » i * 



Pl'.OCRK.sS OF IDOLATRY. 


2S 

The learned are not agreed concerning the ety¬ 
mology of this appellation; but the molt eiTential 
for us to know, is, that this fe£t is the moll ancient, 
and molt numerous, of any mentioned in hiftory; 
even more fo, than that of the two principles; 
and that it flill fubfifts among feveral American 
nations. The infpired writings inform us, that 
it began a little after the deluge, lince it was 

t i * 


known in the time of Abraham, T hares, and Sanig. 

7 o- 



'MR IT OCR 


ITS OK IDOL 



T“V ^ T 

i\ 1 . 


1 


the fir ft men leparated, they fell 


into a Hate of tire groffelt barbarity. The Greeks, 
afterwards fo learned and polite, owe their know¬ 
ledge entirely to the colonies which fettled among 


them. Yet idolatry at firft was not a fyftem 
founded upon reafon, nothing was more abfurd 


than the religion and ceremonies of tire original 

o o 

idolaters. 


In the time of Cecrops, the Athenians only 
offered Jupiter fi tuple cakes. The lirll Scythi¬ 
ans adored a fey meter; tire Arabians a rough 
Hone. In the ifie of Orcades, the image of Diana 
was a piece of unwrought wood; at Citheron, 
Juno was only the trunk of a tree; at Samos, a 

fi tuple 



PROGRESS or IDOLATRY. 



iimplc plank. But the invention of arts gave a 
rapid progrefs to Idolatry. Well-formed h attics 
infpired refpebt, and men began to think, that the 
Gods whom they reprefented took pleafure in 
inhabiting them. 

From the worfhip ofthe liars, they proceeded to 
that of heaven, the elements, ieas, rivers, fee. ; at 

laft even illuRrious men were ranked among their 

o 


deities. 


The invention of an ufeful art, the beauty of a 
work, gratitude for benefits, coniimal or maternal 

J * \ 9 S^J 


tendernefs, the lit can fed temples and altars to be 
railed, portraits to be honoured, and woods and 
afylums to be conlecratcd. 

This fpecies of worfhip began in F.gypt a flrort 
time after the death of Gfiris, and His: both of them 
having diftinguifned thcmfelvcs by-their brilliant 
exploits, and by the invention of feveral trfeful arts, 
the grateful people thought they could not make 
them fo proper a return as by railing them to the 
rank of divinities; but as thev could not without 
manifeft abfurdity call beings immortal who were 
juft dead, it was pretended that their ft.tils were 
returned to the flats, whence they origir.a 
defrenried to animate their bodies. 

It was thus they came to be looked upon n> 
the fun and moon, and to have their woifliio cor.- 

? l 

founded with that ofthofe two luminaries. 



It is here likeYvke we are probably to look' 



DU FF.REXT SPECIES OF FABLES. 


for the origin of the metempfychofls, or tranfmi- 
gration of fouls, an idea which was by after 
generations fo ftrangely abufed. After the celeftiai 
bodies, each particular part of nature became the 
object of adoration, and had its preflding deity. 

The earth was wordsipped under the names of 
Rhea, Tcllus, Ops, Cybeie, Proferpine, Maia, 
Flora, Faunas, Pales, Ac, 


OF THE Dil i EKEX f SPECIE 1 OF FABLES 


nr-> 


1 he fables of the poets may be divided 
into fix claffes, the hiforical, pluiolbpliical, alle¬ 
gorical, moral, the mixed, anti thole invented 
at piealure. 

The hillorical are compoidd of ancient hiftorics, 
which they have interlarded with Action. Such 
are thole of Hercules and jafon. hdlead of faying, 
that the former drained the nxirfiies of Lcrna, 
overflowed by numbcrltfs rivulets; this marlli is 
reprefenred under the figure cl an hydra which 
Hercules vancjiiifhcd: when J.if<»n went to demand 
reftitution of the: trealure cat rial by Phrixus to 
Colchis, in (tend of dcleribiug die (aft, the fable 
of the golden fleece in vented. 

Yet the Creeks, notvvithflnvling their predi¬ 
lection for fables, wwre not u.tisiicd with them 

x alone, 



/ 


DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FAULKS. 




^lone, they frequently wifhed only to embellifh 
their hiftories by ornamenting them with the graces 
of poetry. 

The g re ate ft men of antiquity have always 
looked upon the ancient poets as the firft hifto- 
rians. Alexander would not fo much have admired 
Homer, nor have envied Achilles in having had 
fuch an able panegyrift, had he looked upon him 
(imply as a writer of lift ion: he was very certain 
that the poet preferved th.c principal exploits, 
and painted the true charadler of his heroes. 

Philofophical fables, are thole which the ancients 
invented, as parables, to conceal the myflcries of 
their fpeculative or natural philoibphy. 

Thus, they laid, the ocean was the father of 
rivers; and that the moon cfpouled the air, and 
was the mother of the dew. 

The allegorical, were likewife parables, which 
had a fccret meaning, or implied fenfe; as the fable 
which fays, that pleafure was the offspring of 
riches and poverty, to fhew that the one does 
not exclude happinefs, and that the other is not 
lufficient to infiire it. 

Moral fables, are thole whi; h inculcate precepts 
for the improvement of our manntrs. 


Of this lort is th.at which lavs, ; uniter lent 
' . ' «■ 1 

the liars uj)on earth by ib.v, V) in Jo fid uicnueivTs oJ 
the aftiuns of men, and .wvc i.Iiii an :\r CMim: 

* U w' 




2 


DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EARLES. 


The fables of Efop, Lafontaine, and apologues 
in general, are of this kind. 

Mixed fables, arc a compofition of allegory and 
morality, without any thing hiftorical; fuch as 
that of Ate, related by Homer. She was the 
daughter of Jupiter, but made mil'chief her whole 
ffcudy. Dctefled equally by Gods and men, Jupiter 
feizctl her by the hair, precipitated her from heaven, 
and fworc an oath, t'e.at fne fhould never return. 

By this fable the poet wished to reprcil-nt tire 
propenfiry or man to evil. 

This female, lays he, traverier, the whole 
earth, with increddlde Jv.iftnelsj her filers, called 
Prayers, like wife daugi.tersof j upitcr, always follow 
her, to counteract, as fur as pufiiblc, her dc tellable 

machinations; but unfortunately being lame, ihey 

6 »rnnot keep pace with their lifters union implies 
that evil in its operations is always more prompt, 
and real, than reparation anal repentance. 

The hill deling lion or iabies, rue thole which 
have no otlier object than to a male, or to dilplay 
a brilliant imagination, and invention. 

L J J 

'liiolc tinitv>erc caked P/iiicfun, were of thi:. 
number, lb were flic Syhaiitikc.s, which took tluir 
name limn tiie inhahit,> l .t:> m' Svbarh, a people 
entirely aJclieual to thtir pkalwvs. 

'i. hefe unhide nearly eveiy lpecivs of fables; 
but wc mult amcmbci, that there arc very few 




DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FABLES. 


32 


■which we meet with in the ancient poets, which do 
not contain fome hiftorical faft. 

When Homer fays, that Eolus gave Ulyffes 
the winds incloied in a fkin, and that his com¬ 
panions let them efcape, it is an hiftorical fa ft j 
which teaches us } that this prince had cautioned 
Ulylfes not to expofe himfelf to a tempeftuous 
wind, which would blow in a few days; but the 
companions of Ulyffcs perfifted in purfuing their 
courfe, and were wrecked; for having refufed to 
attend to the advice of Eolus. 

Likewife, Atlas was a prince and an aftronomer, 

who made ufe of a fphere, to ftudy the motions 

of the heavenly bodies. 

* 

The ftory reprefents him, as bearing the hea¬ 
vens upon his Ihoulders. 

Proteus was a prince, wife, prudent, eloquent, 
and politic ; they defcribed his char after, by fay¬ 
ing, he had the power of changing his form at 

pleafure. 

Dedalus invented fails for velfels in (lead of 
oars, and by this means efcaped the vengeance of 
Minos; he is faid to have made himfelf wings ; 
an expreflive method of delcribing the velocity of 
vedels with fails. 

It is thus writers have disfigured hiftory, by 
endeavouring to embcllifii it with the charms of 
poetry. Such particularly was the genius of the 

1 ) eaftern 



34 CONJECTURES CONCERNING 

eaftern nations,' from whom we have received the 
greater part of our fables. 

■ This fpirit dill reigns among them, and to this 
day their writings, which abound in parables s 
prove, that they now are, what the Greeks were 
when Hdtion was at its greated height. 


CONJECTURES CONCERNING THE ORIGIN 

OF EARLES. 


o» feeing every people of the earth 
(except the people of God) eagerly adopt thefe 
d&ions, and make them the foundation of their 
religion, morality, and government, it becomes 
indifpenfably nccclTary to endeavour to difcover 
the origin of an error fo univerfal, and fo fatal to 
mankind. The Rudy of truth is neither longer 
nor more difficult than that of error. And it 
would be a crime towards youth, not to employ 
our bed faculties and endeavours, in giving them 
juft ideas concerning the natural propenfity of 
man to evil. They dand in need of a light to 
enable them to lee through the delufion. 

It is only by being habituated to found their rea- 
fonings and conclufions upon the bed authorities, 


lured principles, and mod folid bads, that they 


can 



THE ORIGIN 7 OF FAULKS. *r. 

Can be fecured from random conjectures, and de- 
lufive fyftems. 

In vain has pretended modern philofophy en¬ 
deavoured to avail itfelf of the obfcurity in which 
the firft ages of the world are involved, to render 
it a lburce of its doubts and fophilins: the vefliges 
Which remain of tire molt unenlightened periods, 
prove to a demonftradon, that all men have felt 
the necefllty of a fupreme deity, director, and 
creator of all things. 

The fame neceffity obliged them to acknow¬ 
ledge themfelves in a (late of dependance on this 
powerful being, and that they owed him adoration. 
The facred writings inform us, that this worihip 
was prefcribed by the Divinity hinrfelf, and the 
account we have given in the preceding chapters, 
is fufficient to fhow, that facred tradition has been 
disfigured, in proportion as corruption overfprcad. 
the earth. 

The moment the firft link of that facred chain 
was broken, man was hurried on from error to 
error; the human imagination could never fiipply 
the place of eternal wildom. 

Vanity was one of the principal fources of 
fiClion. Truth was found not lufficiendy fur- 
priling, not fufiiciently attractive; they decked 
her with borrowed ornaments, and thought to 
magnify the reputation of heroes, by aferibing to 
them aCtions they had never performed. They 

pro *■ 


D 2 



36 CONJECTURES CONCERNING, &C. 

probably even propofed thefe imaginary models 
as more powerful incitements to virtue. But by 
permitting themfelves to be thus led away by a 
tafte for the marvellous, they at laft deprived 
illuftrious men of all the merit they might have 
poffefied. 

For inftance, when Perfeus flays Medufa, he 
furprifes her (leeping; if he delivers Andromeda, 
he has the wings of Mercury. Achilles is clad 
with impenetrable arms forged by Vulcan. They 
went fo far as to lavifh on their heroes all the 
attributes of Gods. 

It is thus we are blinded by vanity and other 
paffions, which mil's of their intended objedt, by 
being carried to excefs. 

Before the invention of letters, great events and 
brilliant exploits were no othcrwiie recorded, than 
in the memory of men, or at moll only by a few 
obfcure hierogly plucks. 

The remembrance of celebrated addons, then, 
was preferved by tradition; but experience 
proves, how fcldom it is, that even the mofl 
fimple narrations are not mixed with fome era- 
bellifhing circumftances. 

When in the courl'e of time men wifhed to 
write thefe addons, they found nothing but confufeci 
traditions, and by giving them a place in hiltory, 
they have in lbme degree eternized fidlions. 


FAB LI- 



FABLES INTRODUCED BY A LOVE, &C- 


t 



FABLES INTRODUCED BY A LOVE OF THE 

MARVELLOUS. 


Experience fliovvs us what influence the 
marvellous has over the human mind. 

It is not difficult to perceive the caule; it hopes 
to enlarge itfelf by believing in whatever is fupe- 
rior to itfelf. In the fame manner it finds charms 
in whatever furprifes it. 

Abfolute filence and tranquillity refemble death, 
man is terrified at them; he muft neceffarily be in 
motion. 

The fight of any extraordinary event fatisfies 
his ever aftive curiofity, and he feems in fome 
meafure to participate in the heroic deeds which 
he fees, or hears related. 

I le who conceives thefe adlions in his fertile 
imagination, infpires a belief that he could not have 
invented them, had he not been capable of exe¬ 
cuting them; and he who hears, or reads them 
with enthufiafm, perfuades himfelf in like manner, 
that they would not have been fuperior to his own 
llrength; both of them only fee a degree of 
excellence which their pride leads them to fup- 
pofe they could attain. 

The panegyriit of Achilles was more concerned 
for h is own glory, than for that of iiis hero. 

» 3 


Were 



3« 


FABLES INTRODUCED BY A LOVE 


Were the moil celebrated poems diverted of 
all their ornaments., we fhould be furpriled at the 
mediocrity of the events they record. 

The Iliad, the OdyfTey, the IE n e id, would be 
of little confequence, without the prefence of the 
gods, and that perpetual mixture of fads, little 
interefting, with fidions which engage our atten¬ 
tion. 

The ignorance of natural philofophy has like- 
wife given rife to many fabulous (lories. In the 
ages of ignorance, whatever (truck the fenfes, 
they fuppofed to be animated; rivers, fountains, 
(tars, 8cc. but r as they could not have a very clear 
idea of the latter, they dreaded their influences, and 
to appeale them, when they thought them irritated, 
paid them divine honours; when any one more 
enlightened than the reft, attempted to corred 
thefe errors, he was accufed of impiety; the un¬ 
happy Anaxagoras was punifned with death, for 
having faid the fun was not animated, but only a 
plate of (leek 

One of the mod fertile fources of fid ion, was 
the ignorance of ancient hi (lory and chronology. 

The ufe of letters began very late among the 
Greeks; feveral ages e lap fed, during which they 
had no knowledge of remarkable events but by 
tradition. Even when writing was in ufe they 
did not at fir ft write conneded hiflories. It Jerved 
only to record fume panegyricks, hymns, and 

i genealo- 



OF THE MARVU.I.OL’S. 


H9 


rrencalopies, abounding in fkftion, fo that confu- 

tD O ' 7 


and whenever we 


fion reigned every where; 
wifh to examine thefe genealogies, after having 


generations, we 


traced them for three or four 
find ourfelves at the hiftory of the gods, and every 
where meet with Jupiter, Saturn, Coelum, or Terra. 

The Greeks were equally ignorant of their 
origin; the major part thought they fprung from 




Yet as they 


wiihed to be thought very ancient, they flattered 
themfelves by citing gods, heroes, and kings, 
who never had exifted: and when they fpoke of 
thofe remote periods, of wliich they had acquired 
a flight knowledge from the colonies who fettled 
among them, they condandy fubftituted Addons 
for truth. 

Their fables evidently bore the marks of ancient 
traditions, but they were fo confuted, that Ariftode 
himlelf reproaches them with being mere infants, 
when they wiihed to converfe of ancient times. 

The vanity of the Greeks went fo far as to be¬ 
lieve the whole world had been peopled by their 
colonies. 

It is not then from them we muft inform our- 
felvcs of the people of antiquity, the original 
deities, and the Ilrffc fables. 

Their hiftory does not begin to merit any degree 
of confidence, till the time of the olympiads. 


D .( 


DIVISION 



DIVISION or TIML 



DIVISION OF TIME ACCORDING TO VARRO. 


H o throw greater light on the period 
when fables began, we mult follow Varro, and 
like him diltinguifh time into three divifions. The 
unknown, the fabulous, and the hiitorical. 

The fir ft, which was in fome manner the infancy' 
of the world, comprifes what paffed from chaos, 
or the creation, to the deluge of Ogyges, which 
happened about 1600 years before the birth of 

Thrift. 

The fecond reaches from that period to the 
firft olympiad, where begins the hiftoricak 

This celebrated divifion of Varro, can only 
regard the hiftories of the Greeks, and Romans; 
for the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Phoenicians, and 
ancient inhabitants of the Taft, are confiderably 
better acquainted with diftant ages. They had 
their traditions, and their annals, though cer¬ 
tainly they are much intermixed with fidtion. 

The Greeks had no certain knowledge of the 
firft ages of the world; and when they arrive at 
the times called I Tcroic, they involve them in fo 
much obfeurity, that the hiftory of them is ablb- 
Jutely disfigured. 

The period of the Trojan war, particularly, fo 

fertile 



* 


ACCORDIN'C TO VARRO. 


41 


fertile in heroes, produced an infinite number of 
fictions. 

This celebrated city was twice taken, find by- 
Hercules, and about thirty years after by the 
Grecian army, under the command of 


Aga¬ 


memnon. 


It was at die time of its firft capture that Her¬ 
cules, Telamon, Theicus, Jafon, Orpheus, Caftor 
and Poliux—names which their mutual fricndfhip 
has rendered infeparable—appeared; then flou- 
rifhed all thofe heroes who participated in the 
conqueft of the Golden Fleece. 

At the fecond taking of Troy, appeared the 
Tons, or grandfons, of the above; Agamemnon, 
Menelaus, Achilles, Diemedes, Ajax, Hcblor, 
Ulyffes, Priam, Paris, Eneas, &c. 

In the interval between the time of the firft 
and fecond capture, we flioultl place the two 
Theban wars, in which appeared Adraftus, 
CEdipus, Eteocles, Polynices, Capaneus, and fe- 
veral others, the con flan t objecls of poetical 
fiflion. 

It was not till the eflablifliment of the olym¬ 
piads, that the hi (Tory of Greece a/Tiimed at lad 
a regular form, and that events were eiafl'al under 


their proper epochs. 


id If 



4 2 


©LYMPIC GAMES. 


THE OLYMPIC CAMES. 

♦ 

It is not clearly determined at what time 
thefe games were inftituted. 

Their origin is very obfcure. 

Diodorus Siculus only fays, that Elcrcules of 
Crete was the firft founder of them, without 
telling us at what time, or on what occafion. 
The mod common opinion among the learned 
is, that they were eftablifhed by Pelops, and that 
the firft celebration took place at Elis, in the 
twenty-ninth year of the reign of Acrifius, the 
twenty-fourth of Sicvon, nineteenth king of 

J J * o 

Sieyon ; and to compare prophane epochs with 
facred, it was in the twenty-fourth year of 
Deborah, who judged Ifrael. 

Atreus, fon of Pelops, revived them, and 
ordered their l'econd celebration, 141& years 
before the time of our Saviour. Laftly, Her¬ 
cules, at his return from the conqueft of the 
Golden Fleece, affemblecl the Argonauts in Elis, 
to celebrate thefe games, in gratitude for the 
happy iuccds of their expedition, and they agreed 
to afie ruble there for the fame purpofe every 
fourth ear. 

However, thefe games were difeontinued till 
the reign of Jphitus, king of Elis, that is, during 

a fpace 



F.FFJXTS PRODUCED IN CRF.F.CF., &C. 


43 


a fpace of 44 1 years 5 and it was then that the 
Greeks took them for their principal epoch. 

They now counted only by olympiads, and it 
is from that time that we find lefs fidtion in their 
hi dory. 


EFFECTS produced in GREECE, and in the WEST, 
bv (lie armed of EASTERN COLONIES. 


When the Phoenicians, or Egyptians, 
came to fettle in Greece, they were obliged to 
learn the eftabliflied language of the country; 
but they mu ft have prelcrved many words from 
their own language, particularly thofe which 
were employed in the new laws, cuftoms, and 
religions, which they introduced among the 
Greeks. 

Thcle latter, in adopting their innovations, made 
tife of their terms which quic kly produced a con- 
fufton of the two languages. 

Some time after, when the Greeks u idled to 
read their ancient hi dory, they found it lull of 
Phoenician words, which they did not fail to 
explain favourably to their taller for fid!ion, 
and often abufee! the ambiguity which fre¬ 
quently occurs in the Phoenician language. For 
inllance, the word Alpha or J/pba, iignified 

equally 



EFFECTS PRODUCED IN GREECE, &c. 



equally a bull or a fhipj whence the Greeks 
took occafion to fay, that Jupiter, in the form 
of a bull, had carried off the young Europa, 
inftead of faying he carried her in a ihip to the 
iHand of Crete, where he reigned. 

The fable of the Fountain Arethufa,and the River 
Alpheus, is likewife founded upon an equivocal 
expreflion. The Phoenicians on landing in Sicily 
found a fountain furrounded with willows, which 
they called Alphaga, that is the fountain of willows. 
In procefs of time, the Greeks, on their arrival 
in the fame country, recollecting their river 
Alpheus, which (lows through Elis, Raid that the 
waters of that river palled under the fca, to join 


thofc of the fountain Arethufi. 

The more we flutly their origin, the more we 
are forced to acknowledge, that the major part of 
the Grecian fables were an imitation of thole of 
the Oriental colonies. 

At the time when the inhabitants of the wef 
Hill lived in the groffeft ignorance and barbarilm, 

CD ^ ‘ ' 

Egypt was the feat of arts and politenefs. 

k was the Egyptians and Phoenicians who 
taught them to build cities, clothe themfelves, 
and live in a Hate of fociety: from them they 
received tlieir relig'ous Ceremonies, their worfhip, 
and their fieri fit es; and the Greeks by adopt¬ 
ing their religion, adopted likewife all their 
fables. 




IirSIOD AMD HOMER. 


4 5 


The worfhip of Bacchus was modelled after 
that of Ofiris; Orpheus obtained his fyftem of 
the infernal regions from the Egyptians ; it was 
there Pythagoras borrowed his idea of the tranf- 
migration of fouls. 

Thefe proofs are more than fufRcient to fhew 
that the fables of the Greeks and Romans 
were originally received from Egypt and Phoe¬ 
nicia. If we find lome difference, it is becaufe 
the Greeks, to their pafiion for fiction, added a 
defire of appearing very ancient; they endea¬ 
voured at once to conceal both their ignorance and 

o 

their recent origin. 

They were alhamed of owing all to foreign 
nations; and the hope of infpiring a belief that 
all had originated with themfelves, induced them 
to alter names, adventures, and even religious 

ceremonies. 


OF HESIOD AND HOMER. 



1 

he name of llomer never prefects itfclf 
to the mind, without exciting the tribute of admi¬ 


ration. 


tc Who is then this wonderful man, (fays the 
author of the travels of the young Anacharfis,) 
whole glory only inert ale:, with revolving ages, 

and 



HESIOD AND HOMER. 



and of whom the human intellect no more is jealous, 
than of the beams of the bright luminary of day!” 
Hefiod and Homer are not the inventors of the 


Greek fables, they only enriched them with new 
ornaments; idolatry was antecedent to the age in 
which they wrote. 

It is probable that more ancient poets had left 
them models, which they have furpafled; for it 
is hardly probable, that the firft eflays of Grecian 
poetry fliould be patterns of excellence. 

Before the time of Homer the liege of Trov 
was univerfally lung, and hymns were composed 


in honour of the Grecian gods, 




cnce of his poems. 


Heliod and Homer contented thrmfelves with 


following the principles of the theology of their 
country, the lyltem of which had been introduced 
by Cecrops, Cadmus, and other leaders of 
colonies. 


Homer then was only the panegyrilt, not the 
inventor of his gods; he conforms to the theology 
of his time, and as he wiflies at once to pleafc 
and avoid obfeurity, he does not depart from the 
lyltem of religion etlablilhed in his country. 

We mud not then look upon him as the inventor 
and creator of lo many gods and ablurd cuftoms, 


Till:. 



THE CODS OF THE GREEKS, &c. 


47 


THE GODS OF THE GREEKS, AMD ROMANS, 

AND OTHER WESTERN NATIONS. 

The preceding reflections are fufficient to 
i'hew that idolatry originated among the eaftern 
nations: this is the reafon why we have divided 
the pagan deities into two daffes, the gods of the 
eaft, and thofe of the weft. 

Concerning the former we fhall extend our 
refearches no farther. 'Though a knowledge of 
this part of mythology is extremely interefting, 
and even ncceflary, in order to fhew the origin of 
fable and idolatry; yet the principal objetft of 
this work being to enable our readers to travel 
with advantage, and to form a juft opinion of the 
principal performances of the poets, and artifts, 
we fhall principally dwell upon the different 
branches of the Greek and Roman mythology, 
and fhall devote the reft of this work to that pur- 
pofe i taking care at the lame time to make liifto- 
rical companions, and give every explanation 
requifite to conneft the former and the follow¬ 
ing parts. 

The pagan deities may be divided into the 
celcftial, the marine, the terreftrial, and the infer¬ 
nal. Wc lliall afterwards come to the fubaltern 
divinities, of whole rcfidence they had no deter¬ 
mined idea. 


OF 



48. 


CELESTIAL DEITIES. 


i 


OF THE CELESTIAL DEITIES. 


* 


V, rro, die greatefl of pagan theologians^ 
makes the number of thefe to amount to thirty 
thoufand, which will not appear furprifing, when 
we confiucr that they liad invented deities to 
prcfide over every diflin-ft part of the univerle, 
and over all the paffious, and neeeflitics of life. 
Befides, at the lame time that different nations 
or cities adored the. fame god under the name of 
Jupiter, each of them pretended to have their own 
particular Jupiter. 


Varro reckons more than three hundred of 
this name. It was the lame with the other gods 
and demi-gods: more than forty of the name 
of Hercules were reckoned. But, as diHendon 
might arife among fo many different divinities, 
the pagans perceived the neceffity of believing, 
and maintaining, that there was one fuperior to 
the rell, called Defliny, or Face. This god, 
whom they fuppofed blind, governed every 
thing by an abfolutc necdllty: Jupiter himfelf, 
the lirft and greateit of gods, was forced to 
l'ubmit to his decrees. 

Defliny had his religious worlhip; but as 

he could not be comprehended by the human 

mind, 



V 


different orders of the deities 


4F 


to 


give 


jmirtd, they never dared determine his form, fo 
that his ftatue was never worfhipped, like thofe 
of the other gods: they endeavoured, however, 

a reprefentation of him : and it was 
under the figure of an old man, holding an 
urn between his hands, which contained the lot 
of mortals. 

m 

They placed a book before him in which 
were recorded future events: all the gods, with¬ 
out exception, were obliged to confult this book, 
becaufe they could do nothing contrary to its 
decrees,- and it was only by reading it, that 
they could obtain a knowledge of futurity. 
This idea of Deftiny is the molt ftriking ac¬ 
knowledgement, men could poflibly have made, 
of the necellity of a fupreme and only God* 
But having once loft the inftruftions given by 
the Almighty to the firft patriarchs, it was no 

power to define and compre- 


longer in their 

* 

head the Divine Being. 


DIFFERENT ORDERS OE THE DEITIES 


rnp 

1 he gods were divided into four orders* 
The firft comprifed the fupreme gods, who 
Were likewife called gods of the nations, becaule 
they were known, and revered by every nation: 

K they 



DIFFERENT ORDERS OF THE DEITIES. 


6 ° 


they were twenty in number, of whom Jupiter 

was the chief and principal. 

The fecond order included the gods, whom 

Ovid (tiled the eeldtial populace, they were called 

the inferior gods of nations; they had no place in 

heaven, nor were they admitted to the council o( 

Jupiter; Pan, Pomona, flora, and the other rural 

deities were of this clafs. 

The third order was compofcd of dcmi gods. 

who derived their or’tin from 

' . 

or a eoddcfj and a mortal. 


a t:od and a mortal 

o 




Such were Hercules, F.l’eulapius, C aft or and 


.Pollux, 


r> 

c-c c. 


Me roe.', likewife, who by their 


illuftrious valour had vaifed themlelves to the rant, 
of immortals, had a p'acc among thefe. 

The fourth order contained the virtues which 
had formed great men. as Fidelity, Concord, Con 
rage, Prudence, &. c.; n,Ci etenthe miferies of life, 
as Poverty, Pain, &.c. 


Tiie twenty gods of the f.rft order were divided 
into two chills, the hi ft, which was compofed 
of fix g;ip.., and Tim godd.dfes, formed the council 
of jupiler. 

The fix gods, were Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury. 
Tpcllo, Man;, and Vul an. 

The fix goddidlls, jm.o, Ceres, Minerva, Vefta, 
Diana, and Venus. 

The fecond clals was compofcd of eight divini¬ 
ties, who did not ailill at the fupremc council, 

the) 



particular history of the cods. 


5 ' 


they were called Dii Scledli, felect gods; their 
names were Cool us, Saturn, Genius, Orcus, Bac¬ 
chus, Sol, Terra, and Luna. 

Thofc divinities who were not of the firft or 
fccond clafs, were called hidigetes 


and Simones 


The word Li ditch’s, ligniiics adding as gods, and 

O ^ L' o O' 

the word Sememes , fignihes half-men, becaufc they 
svere defetneied from an immortal, either bv the 
father or mother’s iidc. 


PARTICULAR 




OF THE GOD 


O 


JDffore we give the hiftory of Jupiter, 
we think it necdliiry to ipeak of Saturn his father, 
and Cybele his mother. 

The rank of thele two divinities was confiderably 
inferior to that of Jupiter, who was chief and 
lovercign of the gods. 

Cybele and Saturn were not reckoned among 
the celedial deities; but the account we are about 
to give will ferve to illuftrate the hiftory of their 

Ion Jupiter. 



SATURN 



SATURN, JANUS, THE GOLDEN AGE, 


r 1 


c 

VJ 


SATURN, JANUS, THE GOLDEN AGE, AND 

THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 


Cxelus or Heaven, whom the Greeks 

called Uranus, was bv their account the mod 

* * 

ancient of the gods; as Vella Prifca, or Titea, or 
Tellus, (names which exp refs the earth) was of 
the szoddefles. 


Their fons were called Titan and Saturn, which, 
latter was the fame as Chronus or Time. 

The right of feniority infured the iucceflion 
of the kingdom to Titan, but he, in compliance 
with his mother’s defire, yielded his right to his 
younger brother, on condition that he fliouui 
deftroy all his male children: Saturn, conformably 
to this agreement, devoured his fons the moment 
thev were born. 

To compare this with hi lory, before we pro¬ 
ceed any farther, let us remark that the Phceni • 
cian word Haluh, fignifies equally to confine, ant 
to devour, d'liis ambiguity was fufficient to give 
rife to the inhuman flory of a father devouring 
his children; but there is another explanation 
more natuial, given by Cicero. 

The Greeks regarded Saturn, and Time, as the 


o 


fame god. The name Chronos, which is given t 
him, lignilies time: now time being eternal, and 

the 



<53 


AND THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 

the deflroyer of all, he mull certainly fee his chil¬ 
dren pcrifh. 

This is the origin of that barbarous allegory. 

But to return to our fabulous hillory: Cybele 
having brought forth Jupiter, and at the lame 
time Juno, found means to conceal the former, 
and in his (lead gave Saturn a Hone, which he 
devoured. The preceding explanation is fuffi- 
cientj we hi all only oblerve that this pretended 
Hone afterwards became an objedt of veneration, 
and had divine honours paid to it, under the name 
of Abadir, or Abdir. 

Cybele wifhing to withdraw Jupiter from the 
fight of Saturn, had him lecretly tranfported to 
tire ifland of Crete, where he was brought up by 
the Corybantes, or Curetes. 

The goat Amalthea fuckled him, and the two 
nymphs, Adrafta and Ida, fometimes called the 
Mt-liHT, took charge of his infancy. 

The poets relate, that to prevent Saturn from 
hearing the cries of Jupiter, the prielts of Cybele 
invented a fort of dance, in which they beat upon 
brazen fifields. 

Thele precautions, however, did not prevent 
Titan from being informed of what had palled; 
and wifhing to preferve lor his children their right 
of fucceilion to the throne, he made war upon 
Saturn, conquered him, and threw both him and 
Cybele into flridt confinement, where they re- 

£ 3 mained 



54 


SATURN, JANUS, THE GOLDEN AGE, 


mained, till Jupiter, arrived at years of maturity, 
made war upon Titan, conquered him, and reftored 
them to liberty. Jupiter having delivered his 
father, took poffefkon of the throne for himfelf, 
and fearing Saturn would employ every method 
to recover his rights, he drove him from heaven. 
The dethroned king took refuge in Italy, with 

O . 7 

Janus king of that country, by whom lie was hof- 

C • 9 y r 

picabiy received. 

The kingdom of Janus, from this event, took 
the name of Latium, which word comes from 
Latere, to lie hid. 

Again to refer to hi dory : At flume were cele¬ 




brated, in the month of December, the feafl's called 
Saturnalia, in commemoration of the time that 
Saturn dwelt in kaiv. During dicir continuance 




no bufir.eik was traniliifted in tuc hnste, nor in the 
public behoofs j perfons mutually font each other 
prefnits, and flares wre waited upon by their 
mafters. This latter cuitom was intended to pre ■ 
ferve the remembrance of the golden age, in which 

•• > t> > 

all were equally hap[>y. 

This poind, which poets have dcferibid in the 
mod enchanting colours, continued, alas! only 
two reigns; tlmfe of Saturn and Janus. The 
following a <»•(.“; were filled of (live r, braJs and iron. 

So true ii is, (hat a wife government, under a 
flood prince., is t! c greatrfl blefTing heaven can 
befnnv upon mortal.-.! 

ft: i .j bur too neceiiary again to repeat Lbi: trut.I*. 



AND THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 


55 


to man; and to fupport it with authority more 
reipedtable than that of fiction, let us recoiled, 
that the Egyptians were never greater or more 
happy, than under their king Sefoflris. 

Athens did not become the moft flourifiring of 
cities, till the time of derides, who had no title 
it is true, but yet enjoyed all the authority of a 
king; and in the annals of the world, if we feek 
for the true period of human happinefs, every 


heart and mind, will at once recognil'e tire reigns of 
Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius, Tim; m, and Titus. 


In a precrd'ng chapter we 


nave mown, 


that the del!re of happinefs is inherent in man. 
it was even to funply the place of this irreparable 

i i • k 4 

lofs, that he imagined the goddels ilope: let us at 
the fame time remark, that the poets, in deferibing 
the golden age, arc nmre careful to paint the inno¬ 
cence and primitive virtue wiibh reigned upon 
the earth, than the abundance. 


r j y ' • 

I illS 


will injure us to believe, that the}?’ 
owed their befenptiuns to the dear remem¬ 
brance of the mod lacrcd, die moil ancient, 
and confcqutT.tly the bi ll preferved of all tra¬ 
ditions, iacrcd Writ. To return to fabulous 

Saturn in MMficude for the kind recep¬ 
tion he had cxpciu need from jaims, and for 
having been admitted to a participation in his 
kingdom, endowed him with extraordinary pru¬ 
dence, to which he added the knowledge of 



1: 4 


future 



jb MONTHS OF TIIE YEAR. 

future events, and a perpetual remembrance of 
the paftj which they wifhed to exprefs, by re~ 
prefenting him with a double face: it is from 
thence he is called Bifrons. 

To explain this fable. We learn from hif- 
tory, that Janus v/as reprefented with two faces, 
becaufe he governed two different people, and 
becaufe he divided his kingdom with Saturn. 
He likewife caufed medals to be ftruck with 
two faces, to fhow that his dominions lhould be 
governed by the joint councils of himfclf and 

A 

Saturn. 

• • 


THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 

Janus prefided over the year. He had 
twelve altars, to drew that it was compofed of 
twelve months. 

January was fo called from his own name. 
The word February comes from Fcbruarc , to 
perform purifications: a ceremony which was 
praffifed this month in honour of the dead. 
March takes its name from the god Mars, 
whofe defeendant Romulus pretended to be, and 
under whole protection this prince had placed 
his warlike people. 

April comes from slpcrire, to open; becaufe 
in this month the earth opens her bofom, to 

pour 



MONTHS or THE YEAR. 


57 


pour forth her riches. Some etymologies de¬ 
rive it from the Greek word Aphrodite, a fur- 
name of Venus, to whom this month was parti¬ 
cularly confecrated. 

May is derived from Majorcs, fignifying the 
eldeft; becaufe it was confecrated to nerfons 

J X 

advanced in years; as June is from Jmuores, 
the younger, becaule it was confecrated to 
youth. 

July and Auguft, take their names from the 
emperors, Julius Ctefar, and Auguflus, 

September, October, November, and Decem¬ 
ber, are fo called from the rank they occupy 
in the year. 

Before the time of Julius Caefar and Augus¬ 
tus, July and Augult, from the fame reafon, 
.were called quintilis, the fifth, and fextilis , the 
fixth. 

The year, as originally divided by the Romans, 
confifted only of ten months, and began with 
March and April; but Numa Pompilius added 
January and February, and made the year begin 
with the former of thole months. 


CONCLUSION 



< 5 ?! 


HISTORY OF SATURN AND JANUS. 


CONCLUSION of the HISTORY of SATURN, and 
JANUS, wuii HISTORICAL COMPARISONS. 


Janus received divine honours, but 
neither Saturn nor he were ever ranked among 
the deities of the nrft clafs. Janus fhould be 
reckoned among thofe gods called indigetes. 

He was reprefented with a wand in his hand, 

becaufe he prefided over the public ways. He 

likewife holds a key, becaufe he fir ft invented 

doors. He had a temple trebled to him by 

Numa Pompiiius, which was open in time of 

war, and fluit during peace, on which account 

he was regarded as the god of peace. It is 

worthy of remark, that this temple was only 

Ihut thrice by the Romans: under Numa, after 

the fecond Punic war; and in the reign of 

Auuuftus, alter the battle of Ablium. The 
1 * 

flatucs of Janus frequently exprefs, with the 
rip la: hand, the number three hundred, and with 



in aliufion to the extent of the 


year. 


The invention of crowns, and boat?, is attri¬ 
buted to him; he was like,vile the lirll vim 
fund; ioitu- money. It jenns, that it is to 


i oi’.ift r 

i i 


money. 


Janus, more than isiturn, v;c fhould attribute 




HISTORY OF SATURN AND JANUS. 


69 


the mild and falutary laws which procured their 
reigns the appellation of the golden age. 

This prince quitted Pernuubea a town of 
Thefialy, about a hundred and forty fix years 


before the taking of Troy. He came by 
into Latium, and loir.e of his tncLT, 


r 


a 


upon 

which may be leen the prow of a Tip, are a 


proof of his maritime courfe. Warn he ar¬ 
rived in Latium the inhabitants of that barba¬ 
rous country lived without laws, and a I mo ft 
without religion. 


This prince h;fretted the ferocity of their 
manners, affcmblcd them in towns, and gave 
them laws. It is probable that he brought with 
him fume remembrance of the fir ft ages of the 


world. He made them 


<' r i f 

icmioie 


of the charms 


arifing 


of innocence, and the great advantages ^ 
from the practice of jufdcv. He con trailed 
the picture of happinefs with that of the 
iniferies attendant on 


ignorance and barbarity; 


lie, in lome mcafurc, eu:;!irained them to be 
happy, and when luce els had crowned his efforts, 
gratitude raifed altars to iii■; u.c.nory. 


J 


lie is re j)ivIriliv* I by the poets in 


their tlcIVi iption of the yokicn a r ;v, \\a;. too 
f^oocl, too Hcnrruus, t:.> refufe an alyium 


to the 


1 by jup 


lie did more chan receive him wi 


,; r i 


Li 1 l 


io/j )i— 


tality, he wifhed to CilVlliC liil> kingdom with 

him ; 



6.o 


HISTORY OF SATURN AND JANUS. 


him; but jealous of prcfcrving thofe laws, cyf- 
tom-j and that mild government, which confla¬ 
te ted the happinefs of himklf a n d fubjedds, he 
d : i not admit him to a participation of his 
power, till he was convinced that his method of 
governing would be entirely conformable to 
his own. 

Such is the defeription ol that time, fo cele¬ 
brated among the Greeks. 

If we are aflonifhed to fee Saturn, both in 
heaven and on earth, occupy a rank fuperior 
to his btnefa&or Janus, who was the real reftorer 
of the golden age; we mud attribute it to the 
brilliant reputation of his fon Jupiter, who be¬ 
came the firft and mod powerful of all the 
pagan deities. 

We fhall fee the hiftory of that god fhortly. 

The reputation of Saturn grew fo famous in 
Tatium, that the mountain, afterwards named the 
Capitoline Hill, was called Saturninus; and we 
find in Dionylius Halicarnaffus, and Judin, that 
all Italy was, from him, called Saturnia. 

The ancient datucs of Saturn wear chains, 
in remembrance of thofe with which his fon 
loaded him ; they were taken off during his 
leads, the better to drew that his reign had 
been that of lv.ppincfs and liberty. He is fre¬ 
quently reprefented under the form of an old 

man, 



HISTORY OF CTRELE. 63 

man, armed wirh a fcythe, to imply that he pre- 
fided over the times and feafons. 

When under this form, he was called Chronos, 
or Time. 


HISTORY OF CYBELE. 

Though Cybele be of the number of 
the terreftrial deities, we fhall give her hiftory 
in this place, as fhe was the wife of Saturn, and 
mother of Jupiter. 

Cybele was generally regarded as the mother 
of the major part of the gods, which procured 
her the appellation of Magna Mater , the Great 
Mother. 

She had leveral names; the moll common are 
Dindymene, Id re a, and Berecynthia ; they are de¬ 
rived from different mountains, where llie was 
more particularly worfhipped. 

She was likewife called Ops, and Tellus, be- 
caufe Hie prefidcd over the earth, as Saturn her 
hufband did over heaven ; and Rhea, derived from 
a Greek word, which fignifies to flow, becatife all 
things proceed from the earth. 

Cybele is generally represented fitting, to de¬ 
note the liability of the earth; lhe carries a 
drum or difk, emblematical of the winds confined 



6 2 


HISTORY OF CYBELE. 


in the bowels of the earth; and wears upon her 
head a crown, formed with towers : her figure is 
that of a mafeuline woman; and, the better to 
exprefs the fertility of the earth, fhe appears in 
the lath date of pregnancy. 

She has keys in her hands, to fhew, that dur¬ 
ing winter, fire preferves in her bofom the feeds 
of every kind of fruit; laftly, her temples were 
round, in imitation of the orbicular form of 
the earth. 


The feafls of Cybele were called Megalefia, 
and her pridls Galli, fiom a river of Phrygia. 

It is pretended, that as fcon as they had drank 
the waters of this river they were feized with 
fiich a frenzy, that they gave thcmfelvcs wounds 
with fwords, which procured them, according 
to fome authors, the name of Corybantes, 
which fipnifies to firike. But we fliall fee it 

o 

9 

may probably be aferibed to another origin. 

Thefe pneils are lomttimes fliled Curctes, 
from the if laird of Crete, where they brought 
up Jupiter; and Dactyli, from a Greek word 
lignifying finger, becaufe they were ten in num¬ 
ber, like the lingers of the hand. The feafts 


of this goddefs were celebrated to the noife 
of drums, with Irightful yells and cries. 

At Rome lire had a temple, called Opertum, 
into which men were never admitted; and the 


feaffc of ablution, in honour of Cybele, was 

celebrated 



HISTORY OF CYBELE. 


b Z 


celebrated there with great magnificence. During 
this feaft, the ftatue of the goddefs was drawn in 
proceflion upon a car, with great pomp; an im- 
menfe retinue accompanied it to where the river 
Almon falls into the Tyber; when tliey arrived here, 
the ftatue of the goddels was vvaJhed in the waters 
of the river. 

This ceremony which took place on the 25th 
of March, was inftituted in commemoration of 
the epoch, when the worfhip of Cybele was brought 
from Phrygia to Rome. 

The Romans, having learned from the verfes of 
the Sybils, (of whom we fhall fpcak in the courfe 
of this work) that they were to honour Cybele, 
as being the mother of the gods, lent a fpiendid 
embaffy into Phrygia, to demand die ftatue of 
the goddefr, which was of black llone ; t!ie requeft 
was granted, and it was tranfported by lea, but as 
loon as it arrived at the mouth o.Tke Tybcr, the 
veffel flopped, and every effort to make it advance 
was in vain. 

The oracle, or the book of the Sybils, was again 


of bringing it into 


coniultcd, and returned for anlv/rr, that a virgin 
alone could have the power 
port. The cicfirc of plcafmg is always dangerous 
when imprudently indulged without reftraint; it 
had till then had too much Iway over the young 
and beautiful Claudia j doubts injurious to her 
honour began to aiilc, and in vain did flic fhed 


tears 




* 

HIStO'RV (5 f tYBELfi. 


tears of for row, and remorfe, at feeing her reputa¬ 
tion blafted. 

Being informed of the anfwer of the oracle, 
ihe earneftly folicited to undergo this trial; ft was 
granted, and fhe appeared in the midft of the 
Roman people, decked in all her beauty. Her 
demeanour, at once full of modefty and dignity, 
flowed her to be fiiperior to all fear; fcorning 
iufpicions which fhe knew to be unfounded; and 
confcious of her own innocence, with an audible 
voice, ihe addreffed a prayer to the goddefs, and 
fattening her girdle to the veffel, it in an infant 

O O J 

% 

advanced without the leak oppofition. 

Hi (lory informs us that Cybele was daughter 
to a king of Phrygia; flie left her own country 
to go to Latium, where fine married Saturn. She 
was the fir it who fortified the walls of cities with 


towers, which is the rcafon of her being repre- 
i’ented with a crown of towers upon her head, 
Cybele, before lire was defined for the wife of 
Saturn, had icen Atys, a young Phrygian, whole 
love ilie fought, but he preferred the nymph San- 
garis, daughter of Sangar, king of Phrygia,, 
This fable tells us, that the goddefs revenged her- 
felf upon Atys, in the perion of Sangaris; her 
life was attached to that of a tree, which being cut 
down, the nymph perifhed. 

Atys in dcfpair became furious • his frenzy led 
him into the mountains of Phrygia, where he (tabbed 

him fell 



HISTORY OF CYBELE. 


himfelf with a knife ■, he was at the point of death, 
when Gybele, having companion upon a mortal 
whom fhe had fo tenderly loved, changed him 
into a pine, which tree was confecrated to her 
ever after. 

This fable of Atys and Sangaris, is founded 
upon the circumftance of Midas king of Pdlinus 
having promifed his daughter in marriage to the 
young Atys; Cybele learning fhe had a rival, 
alfembled her troops, haftened to PelTinus, and 
entered the city by cutting down the gates; Atys 
endeavoured in vain to relift this attack; he was 
dangeroufly wounded, and Sangaris died of grief 
and defpair. 

All that we can learn from hiftory, refpetfhing 
the birth and name of Cybele, is, that fhe was 
expofed the moment fhe was born, without alfign- 
ing any caufe, or informing us how fhe came to 
be known by her father, the king of Phrygia. She 
was called Cybele, from the name of the mountain 
upon which fhe was found expofed. 

Some etymologifts think this name derived 
from an Hebrew word, which fignifies to bring 
forth with forrow, and that the tradition of hive's 
being condemned to bring forth in forrow is con¬ 
cealed under this fable. 

The worfhip of Cybele, and of the earth, is 
extremely ancient; many authors aflert, that Cad¬ 
mus firft brought it into Europe. 

F 


They 



66 


THE VESTALS, AND VESTA. 


They fay that Dardanus, (who was contempo¬ 
rary with Cadmus) after the death of his brother 
Jafon, came with Cybele his filler in law, and 
Corybas his nephew into Phrygia, where thev 
introduced the myfterious rites of the earth and 
the mother of the gods; that Cybele gave her 
name to this goddefs, and that her priefts were 
called Corybantes, from Corybas. Such appears 
to be tire origin of the worfhip of the earth, 
which, with other ceremonies of the Egyptians, 
fpread firft into Syria and Phoenicia, and after¬ 
wards into Phrygia, which is a part of Afia Minor, 
from whence it was imported into Greece and 
Italy. The name of Vefla Prifca, or Veda Tel- 
lus, is frequently given to Cybele, but fire muf. 
not be confounded with tire fecond Vefla, daughter 
of Saturn, who was the goddefs of fire, and pre- 
fided over virginity. We fhall now give her 

hiflor”. 

* 


Of THE VEST.'. LS, AND OF VESTA, GOD 


DESS OF FIRE AMD VIRGINITY. 


r^uM a PoMi'iucs railed an altar to Vefla, 
daughter of Saturn, and inflituted thofc celebrated 
prieftdTes who bore tire name of Veflals. At firll 
they were only four in number, but were after¬ 
wards increafed to feven. 

The 



THE VESTALS, AMD VESTA. 


6 / 


The Roman virgins deilined for the fervice of 
Vella, were chofen between the age of fix and ten 
years. Their birth muft be without Spot, and then- 
bodies without blemifh. 

The time of their coniecrntion to Veil a laded 
thirty years, during which they were vowed to 


virginity 


O 

a 


nd it was not till after this term that 


they were free from their pridthood, and at liberty 
to marry. 

During the fiiTc ten years they were inflrucled 
in the duties of their office, pracliied 
the fecond ten, and in the ten la If years inltrudled 
the novices. 

The principal em]>loyment of the veilals con- 


it curing 


fiffed in conllaiuly maintaining the facred fire 


which burnt in honour of Vdlj, 

If very year during the kalends of March, this 
fire was renewed by the rays of the fun. 

Or io much importance was the prefervation of 
the lucred fire confidered, that when it happened 
to expire, all public games were interdided till 
the crime fhould be expiated. Tins event was 
the hibjeft of general mourning; it was 


con 


fidered as the mod melancholy prefage. Isvery 
eye attentively fought the caufe of this public cala¬ 
mity, fufpicions of every fort were entertained, and 
fometimes they fell upon the veflals. It was 
difficult to elude refcarehes, and if one of them 

r 2 led. 



68 


THE VESTALS, AND VESTA. 


♦ 


had violated her vows, nothing could fave her 
from death; fhe was buried alive. 

It was on an occafion of this kind, that Emilia 
one of the veflals being fufpedted, threw her 
veil upon the lacred allies, which immediately 
rekindled. 

/Eneas is iuppofed to be the original inflitutor 
of the veltals, and Numa Pompilius only the 
reviver of them. 'The common opinion was, that 
befides the lacred fire, the temple of Vella con¬ 
tained the palladium, the houfehold gods, arid 
other images, which the pious /Eneas had laved 
from the ruins of Troy and brought with him 
into Italy.. 

9 

Thefe precious depofits were looked upon a-, 
neceffary to the prefervation of Rome, and it was 
to fave them that Cecilius Metellus precipitated 
himfelf into the flames, when the temple of Vella 
was on fire, whilft the timid prieflefles lied in every 
direction. 


'I'he Romans rewarded this generous action, by 
railing a ftatue to him, in the capitol, bearing an 
honourable inlcription. 

It is certain that the worlhip of Vefta and of 
fire was brought from Phrygia by /Eneas, and the 
Trojans that accompanied him, but the Phrygians 
them (elves originally received it from the Eall. 


The Chaldeans held lire in great veneration, 



regarded it as a deity. 


JUPITER. 



JUPITER. 



J U P I T Ii R. 


w„« we wifh thorot 

gate the idea which the Pagans entertained of this 
firft of gods, we are terrified at the attempt. 

■nerality oftheirphilofophers fnppofed Jupi¬ 
ter to be the purefl air, the tether, and Juno, his 
wife, the groffer air which furrounds our globe. 

Thofe who looked upon him as an animated 
god, as one of thofe men whole great exploits 
had procured him divine honours, did not hefitate 
to contradift themfelves in the moft palpable man¬ 
ner, by attributing to him the bafeft actions and 
the blacked crimes. 

Sometimes they defcribe him as abfolute fove- 
reign of gods and men, as the principle of all 
juftice; and not unfrequently as the weakeft and 
molt criminal of men. What idea of the divinity 
had then thefe Greeks and Romans, of whole 
boafled delicacy of fentimcnt we hear fo much : 

What renders the hi (lory of Jupiter flill more 

obfcure, is, that there were ieveral of the name, 

and all their different aftions were attributed 

to him, who was king of Crete, as being the mold 
generally known. 

I he ancients are by no means agreed concern¬ 
ing the number of Jupirers. Diodorus Siculus 


? 


>' ■] 


reckons 



;o 


JUPITER, 


reckons two; the fir ft a prince of the family of 
Atlas; the fecond, confiderably more famous, was 
his nephew and king of Crete, who extended the 
limits of his empire to the extremities or Europe 
and Africa. 

Cicero counts three; the firfr born in Arcadia, 
was the fon or Alt her, and father of Prcferpine 
and Baccfvs; the feccnd was fon of Callus, and 
father of. ..Cucrva, who, according to Cicero, was 


r- 
X 


tiic firu that in war. The third was ion 

o o 

of Saturn, born in the ifiand of Crete, where 

hi., tomb was formerly to be feen. The m me of 

¥ 

limiter is confiderably more ancient than Cicero 

‘ I • 

and Diodorus appear to think. The full of all is 

i X 

the Jupiter Ammon of the Lybians. 'There is 

reafon to b- iieve this Ammon was Mam himfelr 

v.hom his fon Myfraim, or TGefiraim, railed to 

% 

the rank of a divinitv. It is \ ii known, that this 

J J 

patriarch and his family rent to fettle in Egypt, 
wnich in feripture is culled the land of Mefraim, 
o; Ammon, or Noummoo. 

Jupiter Serapis, wcriliipped in the fame country, 
is alJo very ancient. 

Jupiter Beilis, mentioned by Herodotus, was 
the Jupiter of the Afiyriaiis. According to the 
fame author Heaven was the jupiter of the Per- 
iians. Hie Greeks, on the contrary, looked 

' J 

upon Coclus, or Uranus, as the grand-father of 

Jupiter, 

Amonu 



JUPITER. 


/ 


Among the number of the mod ancient Jupi- 
ters, fhould be ranked that of Thebes in Egypt: 
fince, according to the laft-mentioned author,, it 
was a priedefs of this god who brought the firft 
oracle into Greece. 

The Scythians had their Jupiter, 
gave him a particular name. 



nation 


The Ethiopians called him Affabinus. The 
Gauls Taranus. The inhabitants of the Lower 

The Arabians Chronos. The Afiy- 


Nile Apis 


£> 


rians Belus, or Zeus. 

We fhail not give a complete lift of all thefe 
names, nor the hiftory of thofc who bore them ; 
lince, according to Varro, their number amounted 
to three hundred. In the firft a arcs of the work!, 
the majority of kings took this name; which 
cuftom did not ceafe till after the takinsr 
of Troy. 

1‘his is the realbn why fo many different coun¬ 
tries boallcd the honour of having given birth to 
Jupiter, and a!mod ail brought I'ome proof in fup- 
port of their abortion. We ihall diftinguifh thole 
who were the mod famous. 

lie who carried off Europa, is Jupiter Afterius, 
father of Minos, 

porary \vi l h Cadmus, about 1400 years before the 

Chriflian aw a. 

J who clpouled die dauduer of Atlas, lived 


KUV % r Ol 


me, anu was ccurem- 


E 4 


n 00 lit 



JUPITER. 


before the taking of Troy. 


fi 

about a hundred and forty years before the capture 
of Troy. 

He who entered into the tower of Danae was 
Jupiter Prastus, uncle to that princefs. 

He who was the father of Hercules, lived 
about 70 years 
Laftly, 

He who had by Leda the two Diofcures, C aft or 
and Pollux, lived much about the fame epoch. 

It would be ufelefs to give the hiftory of all 
that have borne this name. It is probable that the 
events of all their different lives have been united 
to furnifli materials for the hiftory of one ftngle 
Jupiter. 

We Hr all content ourfelves, therefore, with 
explaining what Mythology has thought proper to 
preferve, and leave it to the refearches of the 
learned to determine the difference between theft 
feveral gods. 

The hiftory of Jupiter being found continually 
mixed with that of the other gods; we think it 
indifpenfably neceffary to give it with its principal 
particulars, we fhall in confequencc relate what 
we find recorded of him in fi&ion, and Hi all after¬ 
wards cite what is tranfmitted to us by tradition 
% 

and hiftory. We fhall recount the names by which 
he was moft commonly diftinguifhed, the manner 
in which he was represented, and the worfhip which 
was paid to him. 


hy 



FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


73 


By treating his hiftory thus largely we fliall 
eonfiderably facilitate that of the other gods, and 
enable the reader to form a more diftinft idea of 
Mythology in general. 


FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 

The ftory of Saturn anti Cybele has 

already made us acquainted with the birth of this 
god. Cybele after having prefented the ftone, 
called Abdir, to Saturn, which he immediately 
devoured, confided the care of Jupiter’s infancy 
to the Curetes, and it was to prevent his cries 
from being heard that they danced finking their 
fhields with their lances. 

Saturn, before the birth of Jupiter, had already 
devoured Vefta his eldell daughter, Ceres, Juno, 
Pluto, and Neptune. 

Rhea finding herfelf pregnant with Jupiter, 
laved him in the manner we have juft related; and 
had him afterwards fecretly tran(ported into the 
ifle of Crete, where he was concealed in a cave 
called Ditto; and two nymphs of the country. 
Ad raft a and Ida, otherwife called Meiiffe, took 
charge of his infancy, and the milk of the goat 
Amalthea nourifhed him. 


As 



74 


FABULOUS HISTORY OF JITITER. 


As foon as Jupiter arrived at years of maturity 
he afiociated with Metis, a name which fmnifies 
Providence, that is to fay, from that time he dif- 
played great prudence. Metis advifed him to 
give his father a drink, which made him calf up 
the Hone Abdir, and immediately all the children 
which he had devoured were reftored to life. 
It is here neceffary to remind the reader of the 
explanation we gave in the hifeory of Saturn, of 
the Phoenician word Balah, which fignihes either 
to confine, or to devour. We fin all then perceive 
that Jupiter, by his prudence, 
deliver his brothers and filters from prifon, who 
combined to make war upon their father Saturn, 
and the Titans his relations. 

After tins war, .which tailed ten vears, Terra 



means to 


foretold to Jupiter, that lie lhould gain a complete 
victory over his enemies, provided he could fc 
at liberty thole Titans, whom his father held, 
confined in Tartarus, and could enuage them to 

** K _J 


take part in hi> caule. 

He un-vicrt').')k tills dimerous adventure, killed 
Campe who guarded the prifon, and delivered 
his relations. 


ov wnom we 


It was then that the Cyclops 
(hall fpe.ik hereafter—furnilhed Jupiter with 
thunder, vb.ich has ever lince been Ins common 
fymhol; at the fame time thee gave Pluto a he 1 • 


! ^ 


met, ;u;u .v.-ptune a tiu.cnt. 


\ » * \ 

\ 111 ’ 



DIVISION OF THE WORLD* 


75 


With thefc arms they vanquifhed Saturn, whom 


Jui 


treated as Saturn had treated his father 


Uranus. He precipitated him into the lowed; 
gulph of 1 'artarus, with the Titans, where they 
were guarded by Hecatonchires, giants, woo had 
an hundred hands. It was after this viTmv that 
the three brothers, feeing t Pi C i nfelves mafters of 
the univerfe, divided it amnngft ti'.ern. 

Jupiter had Heaven for his part; Neptune the 
Sea; and Pluto the Infernal Regions. 


EXPLANATION' OF THE DIVISION OF THE 

WORLD. 

Before we proceed any further in the 


fabulous hiftory of Jupiter, we Until give the man¬ 
ner in which the learned explain this celebrated 
divifion of the world. 

They almoll all agree in regarding it as a con¬ 
futed tradition of the beginning of the world, 
ncaily the fame as related in the book of Genefis, 
Noah, fay they, divided the earth amongft his three 
children, Sliem, I lam, and Japhet. 

Africa became the portion of Cham ; anti there 
is great probability that it was he, who was after¬ 
wards known under the name of Jupiter; for in 
f.gvpt there was a city conteeratcd to his honour. 

Bchdes 



FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


76 

Befides, the names of Cham or Ham bear great 
affinity to that of Ammon, fo celebrated in Africa. 
Japhet, fecond fon of Noah, had for his fhare 
all the maritime parts of Afia, with the Archi¬ 
pelago and Europe, which caufed him afterwards 
to be accounted god of the fea. Shem, third fon 
of Noah, had the reft of Afia; where tire worfhip 
of fire became almoft general, which occafioning 
conflagrations that confirmed feveral cities, pro¬ 
cured him the appellation of god of the infernal 
regions. We fir all again return to this divifion, 
when we have related what hiftory has prelervcd 
concerning Jupiter. 


CONTINUATION OF THE FABULOUS 

TORY OF JUPITER. 



nr. Titans and giants having refolved 
to revenge rhemfelves upon Jupiter, undertook to 
beflegc him, even in heaven, that is, upon Mount 
Olympus, where he generally refided. 

For this purpofe they piled the mountains Ofl'a 
and Pelion upon each other. 

Jupiter, terrified at the fight of fuch formidable 
enemies, called all the gods and goddefles to his 
affiftance. The firfb who came was Styx, daugh¬ 
ter of Oceanus and Thetis, accompanied by hci 

r children. 




FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


71 


children, Vi&ory, Power, Emulation, and Strength. 
Jupiter was fo pleafed with her diligence that he 
decreed, that every oath made in the name of the 


gocldefs 


Styx-—who was afterwards confounded 


with one of the rivers of hell—fhould be held 


facred even by himfelf. The eonfequence of vio¬ 
lating this oath, was the forfeiture of their divine 
privileges for a century. 

The giants, fons of Ccelum and Terra, were 
of a monflrous fize, and proportionate Arcngth. 
Their afpedt was fierce and terrible, and their 


lower parts refetnbled that of a ferpent. Their 
general refidence was in the Phlegrean plains. 
In the aflault which they made upon heaven, they 
threw enormous rocks and flaming trees. 

The mod formidable of them were Porphyrion 
and Alcyoneus : the latter was to be immortal as 
long as he fhould remain in the place of his nativity. 

What molt terrified Jupiter was a prediftion, 

that the giants could neither be vanquifhed nor 

flain, unlefs fome mortal came to the affiftance 
of the gods. 

Jupiter in conlcquence forbade Aurora, the Sun, 
anil Moon, to appear and diicover his defigns ; 
he prevented the Earth, who wiflied to fuccour 
her children; and by the advice of Pallas invited 
Hercules, to come and a (Till him. 


I Ins hero, with his arrows, leveral times over¬ 
threw the terrible Alcyoneus, but he receiving 

frefli 



FABULOUS HISTOltV OF JUPITER. 



frefli vigour every time he touched the earth, 
Pallas feized him by the middle of the body, and 
tranfported him beyond the moon, where he ex- 

In the mean time, Porphyrion attacked at once 
Hercules, and Juno; but, furprifed at the beauty 
of the goddefs, he fufpencled his ftroke a moment 
to gaze at her, and was immediately flruck dead 
by the thunder of Jupiter, and the arrows c- 
Hercules. 



t f C 
CL 11 J 


Epialtcs, and Ot'uis his brother, fons of A 1 
and Iphimedia, who were furnamed the Aloidcs, 
attacked the god of war; the former was c'ifabled 
from the f:ghg by having his eyes pierced wit!) 


the arrows of Apollo and Hercules. 


Eurytia 


daring Hercules to the combat, was killed by 
that hero with an oaken club; whilfb Vulcan, 
with a red hot iron bar, brought Clytius to the 


ground. 


EneeUulus feeing the gods victoriou. . 

V. > CJ 


was going to fly, but Mirtiva IboppeJ his cowrie, 
by overwhelming him vith the ifland of Sidle. 
Polybotes, punned by Neptune, fled acrols tin' 
fea, and had jufl reached the ifland of Cos, when 
that god tearing up part of it, threw it upon the 
body of the giant, which formed a new ifland o 
the name of Nvivros. 


Minerva, on her part, having vanquifhed the 
giant Pallas, flayed linn, and wore his (kin as he; 
armour. Mercury, who had on the helmet of 


3 


Pluto, 



FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


79 


Pluto, killed the giant Hippolytus; Diana, Ora¬ 
tion j and the Fates flew Agrius and Thaon. The 
Ihu th enraged at this viftory, redoubled her efforts, 
and poured from her bofom the dreadful Typhon, 
who alone was more formidable to the gods than 
all the other giants collectively. His head reached 
heaven; he was half man, and half ferpent ; the 
light of this monitor fo terrified the gods, who 
were come to the alfiftance of Jupiter, that they 
lied from heaven, and took refuge in Egypt. 

This retreat having confiderably weakened the 
party of Jupiter, gave occafion to the ftory that 
Typhon had cut off the hands of that god with 
his own weapon, a feythe ol adamant. This ter¬ 
rible enemy allowing the gods no refpite, purfued 
them into Egypt, where they metamorphofed 
themlelves into different animals; Apollo into a 
crow, Bacchus into a goat, Diana into a cat, Juno 
into a cow, Venus into a lilh, and Mercury into 
a fwan; which means, that they embarked on 
board v elf. Is, carrying the(e different figures at 
their prows. 


Typhon having deprived Jupiter of his hands 
and legs, with the diamond icythe, carried him 
into Sicily, and confined him in a cave, under the 
guard of a mender, half woman and half ferpent. 

Mercury and Pan, having eluded the vigilance 
of his keeper, reflored Jupiter his hands and feet, 
that is, let him at liberty; and this god, having 

mounted 



8 o 


FABULOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


mounted a chariot drawn by Hying horfes, purfued 
Typhon with his thunder, to the fartheft part of 
Arabia; from thence he drove him into Thrace, 
where the giant having torn up a mountain, whirled 
it at Jupiter, who drove it back upon him with 
a thunder bolt; at laft Typhon having fled into 
Sicily, was there whelmed by Jupiter under 
mount Etna. Earthquakes, fays the fable, are 
the efforts of Typhon to clifengage himfelf from 
the mountain which opprefles him. 

After the defeat of the Titans, and giants, 
Jupiter devoted the whole of his attention to the 
government of the univerfe, and the happinefs of 
mankind. 

Hefiod fays, that Jupiter was married feven 
times. His wives were Metis, Themis, Eury- 
nome, Ceres, Mncmoflne, Latona, and Juno, who 
appears to have been the lad, and molt celebrated. 

By thefe he had a great number of children; 
he had likewife feveral by mortals, with whom he 
frequently formed attachments. Though all thole 
who are mentioned in fabulous hiffory do not 
belong to the fame Jupiter, yet we ffiall give the 
account of them as we find it there, as they 
fo repeatedly occur among the demi-gods and 
heroes. 

Mctamorpho fed into a fwan, he had by Leda, 
Caflor and Pollux. By Europa, daughter of 
Agenor, he had Minos, and Radamantluis. By 

Califto, 



I 

! TABU LOUS HISTORY OF JUPITER. &I 

I 

* 

I Califto, Areas. By Niobe, Pelafgus. By Sar- 
dane, Sarpedon and Argus. By Alcmena, the 
wife of Amphitrion, Hercules. By Antiope, Am- 
pliion and Zetes. By Danae, Perfeus. 
Iodamc, Deucalion. By Carne, the daughter of 
Eubulus, Britomarte. By the nymph Schytinide, 
Megara. By Protogenia, iEthilius, father of 
Indymion, and Memphis, who afterwards efpoufed 
Lydia. By Toredea, Arcefilaus. By Ora, Colax. 
By Cyrnos, Cyrneus. By Eledtra, Dardanus. 
By Tlialia, the gods Palices. By Garamantis, 
Iarbas, Philea, and Pilumnus. By Ceres, Pro- 
lerpine. By Mnemofyne, (for whom he meta- 
morphofed himfelfinto a fhepherd) the Nine Mufes. 
By Juno, Mars. By Maia, daughter of Adas, 
Mercury. By Latona, Apollo, and Diana. By 
Dione, Venus. By Metis, or Providence, Mi¬ 
nerva, goddefs of wifdom. By Semele, daughter 
of Cadmus, Bacchus. 

We fhall not be furpril'ed at this long lift of 
children, when v/e reflect, that many different 
characters have borne the fame name. 

The Cretan Jupiter, being the moft celebrated 
of all, has principally engaged the attention of the 
poets, and ancient authors. 

In his hiltory they have united whatever was 
remarkable in that of all others of the name. 



G 


HISTORY 



HISTORY OF JUPITER 


HISTORY OF JUPITER AMD TIIE TITAN 

PRINCES. 

1 

The following hiftory is principally taken 

from Diodorus, who extracted it himfelf from 

♦ 

Evhemerus. Father Pczron has proved its au¬ 
thenticity in the cleared: manner, by coliefling in 
fupport of it all the fcattered padages which vc 
meet with in ancient authors. 

The Scythians, defendants of Magog, the 
fecond fon of Japhet, eftablilhed thernfelves firk 
in the northern provinces of Upper Afia. Dividing, 
afterwards into different branch,es, feme went to 
fettle in Margiana, Baflria, and the moft eaflern 
parts of Sogdiana, whilfl others dire fled their 
courfe towards Iberia, and Albania, between the 
•Cafpian and Euxine feus. 

Becoming too numerous for the country which 
they inhabited, they went in fcarch of new abodes. 
Armenia, according to Strabo, was the fir ft place 
they took poffefiion of; they afterwards advanced 
into Cappadocia, and direeling their courfe always 
towards the weft, they fixed their refidcnce in the 
countries watered by the Thcrmodon and Iris, 
where they built the city Acmonia, fio called from 
Acmon ion of Phanes their leader. 

The 



AND THE TITAN PRINCES. 



The defire of conqueft led Acmon into Phrygia, 
where he built another city, likewife called Acmo- 
nia; and after making himfelf matter of Phoenicia 
and Syria, died, in confequence of having over 
fatigued himfelf in the chace. 

He was ranked among the gods, by the name 
of the Molt High. 

Uranus, which fignifies in Greek, heaven, the 

fon and fuccelfor of Acmon, efpoufed Titoea, or 

the earth, and had by her fcveral children, who 

from their mother were called Titans, a name 

fo celebrated in ancient hiftory, and which caufed 

« * 

them to be regarded as the offspring of the earths 
Thefe princes exceeding in flrength and ftature 
the common race of men, were called giants; 
and from thence the Titans and giants have fre¬ 
quently been confounded together, though it is 
necefiary to make a clear diftinftion between 
them. 

Uranus was fo called by the ancients, only 
becaufe he applied himfelf clofely to the fludy of 
aftronomy. His defeendants, dextrous in availing 
them felves of whatever might exalt their illuftrious 
family, feized the opportunity offered by the names 
Uranus and Titoea, to report that they were the 
children of heaven and earth. 


Uranus fo for iiirpafled his father Acmon, and 
his predeceffbrs, that he feems almoft to have 


C 2 


effaced 




HISTORY OF JUPITER 


s 4 

effaced from the memory of pofterity, the names 
of thofe from whom he was defeended. This 
prince paffed the Bofphorus, carried his arms into 
Thrace, and conquered feveral iflands, among 
others that of Crete, the government of which he 
gave to one of his brothers whofe male children 
were called Curetes. Uranus afterwards invaded 
the other provinces of Europe j penetrated even 
into Spain, and paffing the ftraits which feparate 
that country from Africa, he over-ran the coalb 
of that part of the world; from whence returning, 

he directed his courfe towards the north of Eu- 

% 

rope, and reduced the whole country to fubjedtion. 

Uranus had leveral children. Titan, Oceanus, 
Hyperion, Japetus, Chronos, or Saturn ; when 
arrived at manhood, they conlpired againft their 
father, but were all overcome and thrown into 
prifon, except Oceanus, who had not engaged in 
the plot. 

Saturn being releafed bv his mother Titcea, libe- 

* * 

rated his brothers, who having in their turn feized 
their father Uranus, out of gratitude conferred the 
kingdom upon their deliverer Saturn. Not long 
after however fymptoms of jealoufy and difeontent 
appeared among fome of them, but thefe were 
quickly fupprefied; Saturn now met with no more 
refinance, and Uranus reduced to the condition ol 
a private individual, died of grief. 

j Saturn 



AND THE TITAN PRINCES. 


85 

Saturn feeing himfelf mailer of a vaft empire, 
efpoufed his filter Rhea, and with the title of king, 
affumed the crown and diadem. 

Uranus, when dying, and Titcea enraged at the 
conduit of their fon Saturn, told him that his own 
children would one day treat him in the fame 
manner that he had treated his hither. Terrified 
at a menace and a reproach which he was con- 
fcious ofhavingfojuftlydeferved, Saturn regarded 
this as a prediction, and to avoid its effeCts, caufed 
all his children to be confined, without any diftinc- 
tion of lex. 

Rhea, afflicted beyond meafure at this cruelty, 
had the addrefs to fave Jupiter, and fent him from 
Arcadia, where he then was, into Crete, where his 
uncles, the Curetes, brought him up in the receffes 
of mount Ida. 

Such is the origin of the fable which reprefents 
Saturn devouring his children, and that of the Hone 
which was prefented to him for Jupiter ; a fable 
explained by the ambiguity of the Phoenician word 
Balah. In the mean time, the Titans who beheld 
the grandeur of Saturn with a jealous eye, revolted 
from him, and feizing his perfon, committed him 
to clofe confinement. 

Jupiter, at that time very young, but of intrepid 
courage, quitted the ifle of Crete, defeated the 
T itans, delivered his father, rc-eflablifhed him 
on his throne, and returned home victorious. 

o j Saturn 



86 


HISTORY OF JUPITER 


Saturn after this reigned feveral years, but age,, 
and the remembrance of his own conduct towards 
his father Uranus, rendering him fufpjcious, he 
confulted the oracle, which returned for anfwer, 
that he had every thing to fear from the youngeft 
of his children. 

From that time he endeavoured by every me¬ 
thod to get rid or Jupiter: lie laid fnares for him 
which the latter conftantly efcaped. At lafl, fee¬ 
ing himfelf every day expofed to new dangers, 
the young prince thought ferioufly of defending 
himfelf. Soon after this, Saturn came into Crete, 
of which he was fovereign, in purfuit of his fon; 
but thole whom he had appointed to govern 
it, taking part with Jupiter, he was obliged to 
retire with precipitation into that part of Greece 
called afterwards Pcloponnefus. 

Jupiter followed him, and Saturn being de¬ 
feated was obliged to fly for refuge into Italy, 
where he was favourably received by Janus. 

The Titans, at that time fcattered over all 
Greece, alarmed at the power of the new con¬ 
queror, and being folicited by Saturn, affembled 

# 

troops and offered him battle ■, but being de¬ 
feated, they fled with Saturn into the fartheft parts 
of Spain. 

Jupiter, having firlt delivered his brothers and 
fillers, purfued the Titans to their place of retreat, 
and gave them a fecond defeat, in the vicinity 

of 



AND THE TITAN PRINCES 


s 7 


of TartefTus, which terminated this war, after it 
had lafted ten years. 

Saturn, feeing himfelf no longer fecure, in a 
country of which his fon was mafter, palled 
into Sicily, where he experienced the fate pre¬ 
dicted by his expiring father, and died of grief. 

It was from this period that the reign of 


Jupiter 


J 


young, to ihow that he was the lad of Saturn’s 
children, and, at the fame time, that he gained 
great reputation during his youth. In the courfe 
of time, Parer, or Father, was added to it, from 
whence was formed jouparer, and Jupiter. 

Becoming mailer of a mighty empire, he ef- 
poufed his filler, cailed by the Romans Juno, and 
by the Greeks Hera, or Miilrcfs. The name of 
Jovis was likewife given to Jupiter, and the word 
Father was added, to exprcfs that he was fove- 
reign of the pods. 

Finding it impoffiblc to govern alone fuch 


& 


extenfive dominions, he appointed governors to 
afliil him. 

Diodorus Siculus informs us, that Atlas go¬ 
verned the frontiers of Afiica, and became fo 
famous there, that he gave name to the chain of 
mountains extending to the fea : this name they 
Hill retain. And (or the lame realon, that part of 
the lea, which waihes thefe mountains, was called 
die Atlantic Ocean. We likewife learn, from 


< # 


I- 


ancient 



88 


HISTORY OF JUPITER 


ancient authors, that Pluto was governor of the 
weftern parts of the empire of the Titans, of the 
Gauls, and of Spain, which we fhall fpeak of in 
the hiftory of that god. 

After the death of Pluto, the government 
was given to Mercury, who acquired great repu¬ 
tation, and became the principal divinity of 
the Celts. 

The hiftory of the other governors we are ig¬ 
norant of. It is only known that Jupiter refervcd 
for himfelf the Eaft, Greece, the Grecian Ides, 


and that part of Afia from whence his ariceflurs 
proceeded. 

It is eafily perceived, without doubt, that theie 
traditions, and hiflorical fragments, make no 
mention of the partition of the world among the 
three brothers : on the contrary, it appears that 
Jupiter remained foie matter of the empire, and 
only bellowed governments upon his brothers. 
But we mutt obferve, that the Greeks having no 
authentic hiftory to cl ire (ft them, their poets were 
able to give fcope to their imaginations: they 
confulted their moft ancient traditions, and it 
was pro 

the world, among the three fons of Noah, by 
which they were guided, in aligning the empire 
of each god. We mutt alfo add, that the divi- 
fion of the world between Jupiter, Neptune, and 


bably the remembrance of the divilion of 


ftuto, was not univcrfally admitted among the 




AND THE TITAN PRINCES. 


89 


ancients. England poiTefies a valuable monument 
which proves this difference of opinion, and 
throws great light upon this difputed point. 

At London, in the collection of Mr. Townty 
which is one of the richcft, and molt beautiful in 
the world—is an antique ftatue of Jupiter, which re- 
prefents this god holding thunder, the fymbol of the 
foveremn of Heaven, in his right hand; in his left 

o ^ 

a trident, fymbol of the god of the Sea; and by 
his fide is a Cerberus, fymbol of tire god of Hell. 


This precious remnant of antiquity, which is 
in good preservation, agrees perfectly with the 
hiftorical account juft mentioned. The ancients 
who have written the hiftory of Crete, 


:, Ipeak. 

highly in praife of the courage, prudence, juftice, 
and civil and military virtues of Jupiter. The 
whole of their works are no longer extant; but 
the Greeks 


have tranfmitted to us ffome frag¬ 


ments of them. They lay he was an excellent 
legiflator, that his laws were juft, and, by his 
care, duly enforced. He exterminated the rob¬ 
bers who infefied Tlicftaly; and wiiliiug to have 
a place of defence there, he built it upon Mount 
Olympus, which occafioncd the poets to ftv, that 
he inhabited heaven. 

The place ol our narivirv, the f ar of our 
infant days, are always particularly dear to us. 

Whence 



9<3 


HISTORY OF JUPITER, See. 


Whence proceeds this charm ? Is it not becaufc 
they recal to our minds the care that was be¬ 
llowed upon us, at a time when we were lb 
much in need of it ? And does it not feem as 
though Providence, by this pleating partiality, 
has wifhed to imprefs us with a ftrong fcnfe of 
that firft of all obligations, gracitude ? The 
cares of the empire of the world did not pre¬ 


vent Jupiter from frequently vifiting the ifiand of 
Crete : there he enjoyed repoic ; happy, had he 
not fuiiied the glory of his iliuftrious a&ions by 
an immoderate propenfity to pleafure. It is to 
this defect we :tiu ft attribute that multitude of 
criminal, and frequently ridiculous, intrigues, 
which have been handed down to us, under the 
difguife of his different metamorphofes. They 
fo far alienated the affections of Juno his wife, 
that {lie engaged in a confpiracv againft him ; 
which was defeated by Jupiter as foon as difco- 
vered. This was the hit of his exploits. Worn 
out with age, he retired to end his clays in his 
favourite iflee of Crete, where his tomb was to be 
feen near GnofTus, one of the principal cities of 
the iftancl, with this inicription: 

C£ Ikre lies Zan, who was called Jupiter.” 

I le lived to the age of i ao years ■, 6a of whii h 


he is iappoied to have reigned after the deleat 1 


' I 



^ • • 

1 itaiw, 


ami the death of datum. 



EXPLANATION OF FICTIONS, &C. <31 

His funeral was performed by the Curetes his 
relations. 

The empire of Jupiter had the fate common 
£0 great dates, whole fplendour feldom furvives 
the fovereign by whom they were eredted After 
his death it was divided into feveral petty king¬ 
doms, governed by a fucceflion of princes, the 
major part of whom are unknown; and what 
remains of their hifbory is unworthy of relation. 

The ifle of Crete was that portion of this 
empire which fubfifted longed; it was governed 
by Cres, Ion of Jupiter, after the death of his 

/iither. 

* 


An Explanation of fume of the Fictions contained 

in the History and Fablk of Jupiter. 

w e (hall content ourfelves with explain¬ 
ing the principal circumdances, as they will 
ferve to elucidate more clearly the hiflory of 
Jupiter. 

i 0 comprehend the (lory which fays, that Jupi¬ 
ter precipitated his father into the infernal regions, 
we mu ft obferve, that the Greeks regarded the 
countries fituatrd towards the eafl as the mod 
elevated part of the world ; on the contrary, thole 

towards 



EXPLANATION OF FICTIONS 



towards the weft were fuppofed to be the loweft. 
This was fufficient to furnillh matter for the fertile 
imagination of the Greeks. To the eaftern coun¬ 
tries they gave the name of heaven, and thofe of 
the weft, or the loweft, they called hell. 

It was in confequence of this idea (as we fhall 
fee in the hiftory of Pluto) that they placed the 
infernal regions in Spain, Italy, Epirus, or in the 
countries weft of Greece. 

The Titans having been forced to take refuge in 
Italy and Spain, the poets pretended that they were 
driven into the infernal regions. In the fame man¬ 
ner, they gave the name of Tartarus to the Tar- 
teffus, a river of Spain; and the Titans having 
been vanquifhed near this river, and partly drowned 
in its waters, they were faid to have been plunged 
Into Tartarus; fome of them again having been 
recalled from Italy and Spain, they were feigned 
to have been delivered from their infernal manlion. 


They entered into a frefh confpiracy with Saturn, 
but were conquered by Jupiter, who having pur- 
fued them to the fartheft extremity of Spain, placed 
faithful valiant troops to guard the pafiages; which 
gave rile to the fid ion of the hecatonchires, or 
giants with an hundred arms. 

In the fame manner we muft explain the fabie 
of the god Neptune, who imprifoned the Titans in 


the fca. 


This brother of Jupiter commanded his 


fleets, and making bimfelf mailer of the ports of.' 




IM THE HISTORY OF JUPITER. 


93 


Spain 

they had no poffibility of efcaping. 

We have faid, Jupiter exterminated the robbers 

who laid wafte ThefTaly. 

They are defcribed as formidable giants. Jupi¬ 
ter had built an impregnable fortrefs on mount 
Olympus, which the poets reprefented as heaven 
itfelf, and the efforts of his enemies to make them- 
felves mailers of it, are delcribed by the fable of 
mount Olla heaped upon mount Pelion. 

In the battle of the Titans, Polybotes is repre¬ 
fented as overwhelmed by Neptune, under part 
of the ille of Cos. This fable fignifies, that the 
admiral purlued him to this iile, and there flew 
him. 

In one of the fables concerning the manner in 
which Jupiter was brought up in the ifle of Crete, 
it is faid that he was nourifhed by doves. 

This fable owes its origin to the Phoenician 
word Him an or Ileman , which fignifies equally prieft 

and dove; this ambiguity was fufficient to caufe 

* 

the priefls, called Curetes, and doves to be con¬ 
founded together. 

The Curetes have acquired lb great a reputa¬ 
tion, that it is indifpenfably neceffary to give fomc 
account of them. 

Antiquity carried its veneration fo far as to raife 
altars and temples to their honour: the invention 

f of 


fo completely blocked up the Titans that 



94 


EXPLANATION* OF FICTIONS, 8iC. 


of forging iron, and other metals, is attributed to 
them; but feripture aferibes it to Tubal Cain; 
however it is very poflible that they were the firft 
wiio introduced it into Greece; and upon the 
Parian marbles, now called Arundelian, we fee 
recorded the event which gave the Curetes an 
opportunity of making this valuable difeovery. 

Their inferiptions import, that a fire having 
broken out in the foreft of mount Ida, either by 
lightning or fome other accident, the intenfenefs 
of the heat melted into a flate of fufion a confider- 
able quantity of iron, and other metals. 

The Curetes perceived all the advantages that 
might be derived from this difeovery, found means 
to repeat it, and applied it to their own purpofes. 
The above mentioned monument informs us,that this 
event happened during the reign of the frirft 'Minos. 
The ufe which the Curetes made of their difeovery 
was to employ metals in the fabrication of arms, 
different from thofe commonly employed. It 
appears certain, that to one of thefe Curetes or 
Daftyli Idei, called the Idean Plercules, muft be 
attributed the fir It inftitution of the Olympic 
Games. 

An hiftorical fragment relates, that this Her¬ 
cules, followed by three of his companions, quitted 
mount Ida, fituated in the ifland of Crete, and 
came into Elis; it was there, that to commemorate 

-j the 



REPRESENTATION OF JUPITER. 


95 


the war between Saturn and Jupiter, he inftituted 
a courle, and appointed as a reward for the viftor 
a crown of olive. 

After having thus eftablifhed thefe games, which 
afterwards became fo famous, he raifed an altar in 
Elis to Jupiter Olympus. 

To the explanations we have already given, it 
is neceflary to add, that Typhteus, or Typhon, 
reprefented as fo formidable in the battle of 
the giants, is no other than the Typhon of the 
Egyptians. 


THE MANNER IN WHICH JUPITER WAS 

REPRESENTED. 


Jupiter was generally reprefented under 

the figure of a majeflic man, with a venerable 
beard, feated on a throne. In his right hand he 
held the thunder, and in his left was feen viftory 
and a feeptre: at his feet was a large eagle 

* o o 

with extended wings, in the aft of carrying off' 
Ganymede. 

The upper part of his body was naked, the 
lower part clothed. 

The throne by its (lability denoted the fecurity 
of his empire; the upper part of his body was 
uncovered, to fhow that he was vifible to fuperior 

beings. 



§4 


EXPLANATION' OF FICTIONS, &C. 


of forging iron, and other metals, is attributed to 
them; but feripture aferibes it to Tubal Cain ; 
however it is very poilible that they were the fil'd 
who introduced it into Greece; and upon the 
Parian marbles, now called Arundelian, we fee 
recorded the event which gave the Curetes an 
opportunity of making this valuable difeovery. 

Their inferiptions import, that a fire having 
broken out in the foreft of mount Ida, either by 
lightning or fome other accident, the intenfenefs 
of the heat melted into a ftate of fufion a confidcr- 
able quantity of iron, and other metals. 

The Curetes perceived all the advantages that 
might be derived from this difeovery, found means 
to repeat it, and applied it to their own purpofes. 
The above mentioned monumentinformsus,that this 
event happened during the reign of the firfl: Minos. 
The ufe which the Curetes made of their difeovery 
was to employ metals in the fabrication of arms, 
different from thofe commonly employed. It 
appears certain, that to one of thefe Curetes or 
Dadtyli Idei, called the Idean Idercules, mull be 
attributed the firfl; inftitution of the Olympic 
Games. 

An hiftorical fragment relates, that this fler- 

cules, followed by three of his companions, quitted 

mount Ida, ficuated in the ifiand of Crete, and 

came into Elis; it was there, that to commemorate 

i the 



REPRESENTATION OF JUPITER. 


95 


the war between Saturn and Jupiter, he inftituted 
a courfe, and appointed as a reward for the viftor 

a crown of olive. 

After having thus eftablifhed thefe games, which 

afterwards became fo famous, he raifed an altar in 

Elis to Jupiter Olympus. 

To the explanations we have already given, it 

is neceflary to add, that Typhteus, or Typhon, 
reprefented as fo formidable in tiie battle of 
the giants, is no other than the Typhon ot the 
Egyptians. 


THE MANNER IN WHICH JUPITER WAS 

REPRESENTED. 

Jupiter was generally reprefented under 
the figure of a majeflic man, with a venerable 
beard, feated on a throne. In his right hand he 
held the thunder, and in his left was feen victory 
and a feeptre: at his feet was a large eagle 
with extended wings, in the aft of carrying off 
Ganymede. 

The upper part of his body was naked, the 
lower part clothed. 

The throne by its liability denoted the fecurity 
of his empire; the upper part of his body was 
uncovered, to (how that lie was vifible to fuperior 

beings. 



REPRESENTATION OF JUPITER, 


96 

beings, and to the celeftial parts of the univerfe 5 
and the long garments which covered the lower 
part of his body, gave us to underftand that he 
was invilible to the earth, and to mortals; the 
feeptre and crown, were emblematical of the irre- 
liftible force of 1:is power; and the eagle with out- 
fpread wings, was to exprefs that he was fovereign 
of the heavens, as the eagle is of the air. 

Each people had their different method of repre- 
ienting Jupiter. In the ifiand of Crete he had no 
ears, fignifving, faid the Cretans, that the God of 
the univerfe ought to hear no one in particular, 
but be equally favourable to ail who implore his 
affitfancc. The Lacedemonians gave him four 
ears, that he might receive prayers in whatever 
direction they came. The figure of juftice was 
always placed by the fide of this god. Thole of 
the hours and graces were likewife added, to 
Ihow, that he condcfccnds at all times to liflen to the 

fupplications of mortals, is always juft, and delights 

* 

in doing good. Homer delcribes Jupiter with 
black eyebrows, his head covered with clouds, 
and fbaking all Olympus with a nod ; in his hands 
he holds the thunder; at his feet is the eagle; by 
his fide is refpedt and equity; before him arc the 
two cups of good and evil, which he diftributes 
at pleafurc to mankind. I ie adds, that this thun¬ 
der was compofcd of three portions of hail, three 
of rain, three of fire, and three of wind. With 

tilde 



fUPITEft’s METAMORPHOSES. 97 

tliefe were intermixed terror, lightning, noife and 

wrath. 


OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF JUPITER. 


, It would be impoffible to give an exaCt 
account of all the metamorphofes of Jupiter; we 
j[liall content ourfelves with mentioning one of the 
principal; to which we fhall fubjoin feme of thofe 
with which he either rewarded or punifhed mor¬ 
tals. He affumed the form of an eagle, to carry 
off Ganymede, fon of Tros, king of Troy, whom 
he appointed to ferve the gods with ne&'ar, in the 
room of Hebe goddefs of youth. This meta- 
morphofis was not the only reafon of his being 
reprefented with an eagle at his feet. 

We learn from a mixture of dftion and hiftory, 
that Periphas, king of Athens, engaged fo much 
the affections of his people, that they wifhed to 
adore him as Jupiter himfelf; that is, have no 
other fovereign. The deity incenfed, was at firft 
going to crufh him with a thunderbolt, but con¬ 
tented himfelf with changing him into an eagle, 
on which he mounted w’hcn he traverfed the 
regions of the air. 

this ftory means, that Jupiter dripped him of 
his do 

his court. 

W-> 


* * — _ 
minions, and gave him fomc employment; in 


If 





yUPITER’S METAMORPHOSES. 


We likewife find in hiftory, that Jupiter, before 
his departure from Naxos, in his expedition againfl 
the Titans, offered a iacrifice on the fea fhore, 
and that whilft he was paying his adorations to the 
gods an eagle was feen to fly towards him, and 
alight upon his head. 

When Jupiter defeended upon the earth, lie 
feldom retained his divine attributes. 

In one of his excurfions, he went to the houfc 
of Lycaon, a cruel prince of Arcadia, who put to 
death all ftrangers that arrived in his dominions, 


Jupiter however made himfelf known to Lycaon, 
who wifiling to prove the truth of his affertion, 
ferved up to him the limbs of a gueft whom he had 
killed. This crime was punifhed inftantaneouflv, 
the palace was reduced to allies by lightning, am! 
Lycaon changed into a wolf, that he might Hill 
retain under this form the marks of his original 
ferocity. In flecking the explanation of this fable, 
we find that Lycaon, a prince confiderably interim 


Jupitc 


w.n 


J 


niflied him, wifhing to be certified of the truth 
himfelf, went to the court of Lycaon, and firuiiny 
the complaints but too well founded, execute.: 
inftant jultice on die delinquent. 

We have already feen, that Jupiter in hr 
infancy was nouiiihed with the milk of the go.a 
Amalthca. The fable tells us, that as a reward 



J U>ITtR’s M r.TAMORPIIOSES. 




he placed her with her two kids among the liars* 
where thev formed the fign Capricorn. Itdike- 
wile fays, that in acknowledgment for the care 
bellowed on his infancy by the nymphs, he gave 
them one of the horns of the goat Amalthca, and 
to it added the property of producing whatever 
they fhould defire; whence it was called the horn 
of plenty. 

It is caly to perceive that this faculty of pro¬ 
ducing every blelfing, was nothing elfe but a pro- 
mile to grant whatever they fiiould require; we 
mult explain nearly in the lame manner the horn 
of abundance which Hercules received from the 
river Achelous. 

The fable relates, that this river becoming the 
rival of Hercules in the a fie 61 ions of the nymph 
Dejanira, ventured to engage him, and was van- 
quifhed. Achelous metamorphofed himfelf into 
a bull, and under this new form returned to the 
attack, but being thrown dowm and one of his 
horns torn off, lie could not obtain the reftitution 
of it, but by yielding to the conqueror the horn 
of plenty. 

The hiflory of that exchange is as follows: The 
river Achelous being much iwelled by the rains, 
or the melting of the Jnov, overflowed its banks, 
and laid wafle the country. 

Hercules to protect the crops from future 
ravages, caufed dykes to be railed, which not 

ji a being 

i- 1 



100 


WORSHIP OF JUPITER. 


being fufRciently ftrong, were broken down by 
the torrent: however he found means to repair 
them, and formed fome judicious canals which 
interfered, and by watering fertilized the lands. 

The poets celebrated this meritorious aft bv 
inventing the fable of the exchange juft men¬ 
tioned. 

To dwell longer on the hiftory of Jupiter’s 
metamorphofes would be ufelels, as we fhall find 
them interfperfed through the hiftories of the gods, 
demi-prods, and heroes. 





THE WORSHIP RENDERED TO JUPITER 



It cannot be doubted but the worlhip 

of Jupiter was the moil folemn of any that was 
paid to tire heaih.cn dcicies: it was likewife the 
moft diverlified, as each nation changed their reli¬ 
gious ceremonies at pleaflire. 

It appears certain that no human viflims were 
offered to him, as they frequently were to his 
father Saturn. Of iritis the ftory of Lycaon is an 
indubitable proof. 

Thefe barbarous facriliccs were not very com¬ 
mon, and when Ceerops came to fettle at Athens 
he aboliibed them for ever. 

The 



NAMES GIVEN TO JUPITER. 


101 


The victims moft commonly offered to Jupiter 
were a goat, a fheep, or a white bull whole horns 
were gilt; frequently his offerings were only a little 
Hour, fait, or incenfe. The oak and the olive were 

confecratcd to him. 

The worfhip of this deity was almofl univerfai, 
but he was by none more particularly honoured 
than by the Roman ladies. He had feveral tem¬ 
ples at Rome, one of which, the moft remarkable, 
was near the Capitol, and dedicated to Jupiter the 
Avenger. 

He was reprefented with arrows in his hand, 
to fhow that he was always ready to puniffi guilt. 

He had three oracles much celebrated, that of 
Dodona, of Trophonius, and of Ammon in Lybia. 


NAMES GIVEN TO JUPITER. 

.The greater part of the names given to 
Jupiter are derived from the places where he was 
honoured, or from events which had occafioned 
altars and temples to be railed to him. As it 
would be impoffible to recount them all, we ffiall 
only mention the principal. 

The titles generally bellowed on this god were 
Optimus, Maximus; the bell, the greateft. Ho¬ 
mer gives him the name of king Jupiter. Virgil 

u 2 calls 



102 


NAMES GIVEN' TO JUPITER. 


calls him the All Powerful. During the ides of 
June, the Romans celebrated his feaft under the 
title of Jupiter the invincible; he was called Sta¬ 
tor, becaufe he had flopped the flight of the Roman 
army; and Piftor, in remembrance of the mannir 
in which he had laved the capitol, when it was 
befieged by the Gauls. Jupiter adviled the gar- 
rifonto make bread with all the corn that remained, 
and throw it into the enemy’s camp, for the pur- 
pofe of making them believe that proviflons were 
in great abundance; this llratagem fueecirded, and 
the flegc was railed, fie was called Piefpiter, ;b 
being the father of light and day; Pluvius, let 
having granted rain in the time of a great drought, 
Hofpitalis, becaufe he was the father of hoipitality; 
Father of the gods, moderator, governor, to ex 
prefs his fbverc-ignty over t!ie gods; Maker of 
ternpefls and winds, and frequently Serenus, be 
caufe he reprelented the nether; Capitolinus, from, 
his temple in the Capitol; Glympius, J V hilOy 1 11i> 
Diftocus, and Ida-us* becaufe the mountains io 
called were confe crated to him; Dodonmus, Tro 
phonius* and Ammon* from his oracles; 
Tonans, and Fuiminans, from the thunderbo!:. 
The Greeks fometirncs pjavc* him the name o; 
Id^yptus, and Nikis, and he was then confounded 
with Ofiris, He was likev/Ke termed Kxpiaua, 
becaufe he abibiveb the crimes of men. 

Thele are the principal names of Jupiter- 


0 i 


1 *. 


IX 



HISTORY OK JAPKTUS, &C. 



Till' HISTORY OF JAPKTUS, PROMETHEUS, 

KPIMKTHKl'S AX'D PANDORA. 


r'T'l 


A hese princes being much celebrated, 

and of the family of the Titans, we lhall place 
their hiflory immediately after that of Jupiter. 

Japetus, from whom the Greeks boaffc that 
they were defeended, was the fun of Titan, and 
father of Prometheus (a Greek name, fignifying 
to fore fee the future), and Kpimetheus (which 
figniiies to remember the pafl). 

Prometheus feeing that Jupiter had created 
man, endeavoured to imitate him, by forming 
flatties with clay, and attained lb great a 

* o 

degree of perfection that they appeared almofl 
animated. Minerva, the goddels of wildom, tel¬ 


ling him that heavenly lire alone could give them 
life, the ambitious Prometheus conceived hopes 
of dealing this; he lighted a flambeau at the rays 
ol the lun, and as Icon as he had communicated 

flame to his (latues, they became 


tins I'C 



(tmilar to the work of Jupiter. 

ihe lovcrcign of the gods, to punilh this theft, 
ordered Mercury to bind Prometheus upon mount 
C Rural us, where a vulture was coiuinually tearing 


ii 


!• 


hi 


s 



HISTORY OF JAPETUS, 8 cc. 



his liver, which growing as faft as it was confumed 
rendered his punifhment eternal. 

The other gods, jealous that Jupiter alone fhould 
pofl'efs the power of creating man, united their 

talents to form a perfeft woman. Minerva gave 

► 

her wifdom, Venus beauty, Apollo a knowledge 
of mu fie, and Mercury eloquence. 

This aflemblage of perfections procured her the 
name of Pandora, a name derived from two Greek 


words, fignifying all gifts. 

Jupiter wifhed to fee her, and under pretence 
of likewise bellowing fome endowment upon her, 
gave her a box with orders to cany it to Prome¬ 
theus. This prince, too wife and cautious not to 
perceive the danger of fuch a mefiage, refufrd to 
receive Pandora, or open the box; but the impru¬ 
dent Epimetheus, feduced by the beauty of Pan¬ 
dora, took her for his wife, and had by her a 
daughter named Pvrrha, who was afterwards mar- 

O v J 

ried to Deucalion. Unable to re Uni in his cm ioiity, 
Epimetheus ventured to open the box given by 
Jupiter to Pandora, which containing every fpecics 
of evil, they in an inflant elcapetl, and tlifperfed 
themfelvcs over the whole earth. 

Knimci-heus regretting too late his fatal curiofity, 

A O O - 

wifhed to clofe the box, but alas! it now contained 
only Hope, the laft refource of unhappy mortals. 
This deluge of woes produced the iron age. 


This fable, the moft beautiful of any trail knitted 


10 



FABLE OF PROMETHEUS. 


IO5 

co us by the Greeks, reminds us too readily of 
the fall of Adam to need any other explanation, 
than by faying, it is a corrupt tradition of the 
hiftory of the creation of man, and of the inflant 
when he lolt his happinds with his innocence. 


HISTORICAL ENQUIRY INTO THE FABLI 


OF PROMETHEUS. 


Observation' and a finely of antiquity 
induce us to believe, that Prometheus was the firffc 
inventor of flatues. A beautiful monument which 


has Heaped the ravages of time, (an engraving of 
which is found in the firft volume of Antiquity 
explained by figures) reprefents Prometheus form¬ 
ing a man; he is icon working with a chiffel and 
a mallet; a certain proof that the formation of 
Hatues is concerned. To conform to the poetical 
deferiptions, Minerva is placed by his fide aflifl¬ 
ing him with her advice, and near them is a car 
containing Pfyche, fyrnbol of the foul, who is 
known by having the wings of a butterfly. 

Tvery thing proves that this monument was 
intended to fhow the perfection Prometheus attain¬ 
ed in the formation of his flatues, which appeared 
even animated, and that lie could not have arrived at 


fo great a degree of excellence, had he not received 




j 06 


FABLE OF PROMETHEUS. 


the aftifiance of Minerva, goddefs of wifdom, and 
the arts. 

This firfl: imitation of man fo much adonifhed 
the original, that Prometheus is reprefented in the 
fable as alecond creator: Daedalus was afterwards 
feigned to make thefe ftatues walk, becaule in 
carving them he fird feparated the legs. 

Prometheus was one of the Titans who ren¬ 
dered themfelves formidable to Jupiter; obliged 
to fiy before that victorious prince, he retired into 
Scythia, and concealed himfelf in the foreds of 
mount Caucafus, which feemed the habitation only 

y V 

of eagles and vultures. The grief occafioned by 
an exile fo mortifying to an ambitious mind, was 
reprefented by a vulture tearing his liver. 

Hidory informs us that the inhabitants of Scy¬ 
thia and Caucafus, who were very numerous, lived 
without laws, in a date of the grafted ignorance. 


Prometheus, a wife and polite prince, taught them 
to live, in a more civilized focial date, which gave 
rife to the fable, that with the afiidance of Minerva 
he had formed man. 

Pie is likevi.'e reprefented as dealing fire from 
heaven, becaule lu: fird introduced forges into 
Scythia. When the empire of Jupiter was fo 
firmly edablilhed that it could no longer be lhaken 
by the attempts of the Titans, Hercules obtained 
the pardon of Prometheus, and this occafioned 
the dory that lie had liberated him from Cauealus 


i 


.UK 



FABLE OF PROMETHEUS 


J ° 7 


and killed the vulture. 


Jupiter had fworn 


that his banifhment fhould Lift thirty years, he 
thought at once to mitigate his punifhment and 

O W A 

fulfil his oath, by permitting Prometheus to wear 
on his finger a fragment of a rock of mount Cau- 

O ^ 

calks; it is even thought that from thence arofe 
the cuftom of wearing rings on the finger. 

Prometheus availing himfelf of his liberty, re¬ 
turned to pals the remainder of his days in Greece, 
where after his death he received tliofe honours 
which were paid to demi-gods and heroes. 

Some ancient hiltorians and commentators, 
give another interpretation to the Rory of Prome¬ 
theus having Rolen ceJeflial fire. They lay, that 
this prince dilcovered the method of obtaining 
fire with the flint and Reel. According to others, 
Prometheus foreficcing that he fhould find no fire 


in Caucafus, took the precaution of carrying l'ome 
with him in a plant called by the Latins, ferula, 
which has a (bilk five or fix feet high, 'and is full 
of pith; when lighted it confumes (lowly, and 
continues burning as long as any ol this pith 
remains, it is a plant well known to bailors, and 
frequently employed by them to carry lire from 
one ifiand to another. 

We may obllrve by thefe two explanations the 
value which men Ramped on the full ulelul Gil - 
■ ovaries; they thought the inventors ol them 
worihv of divine honours. 


Money 



HISTORY OF JUNO. 


10 S 

; Money is fufficient to pay the labourer, but 
genius has a claim to greater rewards; and let us 
never forget, that the labours of thofe men are 
entitled to our warmeft gratitude who devote part 
ef their lives to the advancement of fcicnce, and 
the real intereft of mankind. 

Hiftory has prelerved nothing concerning Epi- 
metheus. We only meet with his name in lidion, 
which contents itfelf with faying, that he was me- 
tamorphofed into an ape. 

From this we may imagine that he wifhed to 
imitate his brother, but being neither fo prudent 
nor fo fkilful, failed in the attempt; for which he 
was compared to an ape, an animal which imitates; 
whatever it fees. 


HISTORY AND FABLE OF JUNO. 



uxo was the daughter of Saturn and 

C ' 

Rhea, and fifierto Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Venus, 
and Ceres. Sire was called bv the Greeks Hera. 

J * 

Miftrcfs; or Megale, the great. The Romans 
gave her the name of Juno, from Juvans; aflilVmg, 
(an epithet common to both her and Jupiter) the) 
likewifc called her the Queen. 

Several countries difputed the honour of having, 
given birth to this goddefs; the principal were 



S a m o s 



HISTORY Of JUNO* 


AO 9 


Samos and Argos, where hie was more particularly 

worfhipped. 

Horner lays fhe was brought up by Oceanus and 
his wife Thetis; others on the contrary fay, by 
the daughters of the river Afterion; laftly, others, 
that the hours took charge of her infancy. 

In the time of the Titan princes men Hill fol- - 
lowed the cuftoms of the ancient patriarchs, and 
Jupiter, after the example of his father and grand¬ 
father, efpoufed his filler Juno. 

The nuptials were celebrated in the country of 
the Gnofiians, near the river Thcrenus. In the 


time of Diodorus, the temple of Juno was ftill to 
be feen there; it was ferved by priefls of the 
country, and evcrv vear the inhabitants comme¬ 
morated the ceremony of this marriage. 

♦ 

Jupiter, tegive more folemnity to the occafion, 
charged Mercury to invite all the gods, men, and 
animals. The nymph Chclone defpiling the invita- 
tion, was thrown by Mercury into a river, and 
changed into a tortcile, that lhc might keep 
eternal filence; the Cireek word fignifying a tor- 
toile, and that animal being regarded bv the ancients 
as the fymbol of filence. 

Juno had three children: Hebe, goddcTs of 
youth, who before the carrying off oi Ganymede 
ferved the gods with, nectar. The fable lays, that 



in heaven excited 




no 


HISTORY OF JCN'O. 


the laughter of the gods, which determined Jupiter 
to have a cup bearer. Her fecond child was Mars, 
whom Hie conceived by virtue of a flower. Juno, 
jealous that Jupiter had from his brain produced 
Minerva, the goddefs of wifdom, wifhed likcwife 
to produce fomething equally furprifing. She 
confulted the goddefs Flora, who told her that in 
the fields of Olena grew' a flow r er which would ope¬ 
rate the defired effect as foon as fhe fhould touch it. 

Juno tried the experiment, and became the 
mother of Mars the god of war. 

Vulcan was her third child. Jupiter for his 
deformity threw him headlong from heaven. 

We fhall, in its proper place, give the hiflory 
of Vulcan, as well as that of Mars and Minerva; 
but we fir all flop here to explain the extraordinary 
births of the two laft mentioned. 


The fable fays, that Jupiter felt violent pain in 
his head, and that Minerva, his noblell production, 
came forth completely formed and armed, without 
having palled through the fhite of infancy. It 
adds, that he defired Vulcan to divide his head with 


an axe. 


This fable is allegorical, and fignifics that wifdom 
is not acquired without exertion, which is exp re fled 
by the blow of the axe, and the pain which Jupiti: 
experienced. 

It is likcwife intended to rxprels, that Jupirn 




HISTORY 01' JUMO. 


Ill 


being the wifeft and greateft of the divinities, the 
goddefs Wifdom proceeded from his brain in all 

her perfection. 

The birth of the god of war has another origin, 

though likewife an allegory. 

Juno, a haughty jealous goddefs, had frequent 
quarrels with Jupiter, hie even took part againft 
him with the Titans; implacable in her anger, 
revenge was her darling pallion; this is the reafon 
why the god of war was laid to be her fon. The 
leaft offence excited her refentment; the refufal of 
a flower was in her eyes crime fuflicient to draw 


clown her hatred and vengeance. 

Her pride and jealoufy were cruelly felt after 
the fhepherd Paris had preferred Venus to her, 
when he was charged to give to the moft beautiful 
the apple thrown by the goddefs Difcord. Paris 
was fon to Priam, king of the Trojans; this was 
the caufe of thofe perfecutions experienced by 
/Eneas, and his unhappy followers ; all thofe be¬ 
loved by Jupiter, as well as their children, Ibe 
perfecutcd with incrcafing hatred. 

Wearied byfo much malice and revenge, Jupiter 
refolvcd to punilh Juno for iiaving taken part 
again (I him in his war with the Titans. 

He liifpcndt’d her in the air by means of two 
load (lone. 1 :, and after having bound her hands be¬ 
hind her, (aliened two anvils to her feet. This 




112 


HISTORY OF JUfcO. 


talk was afligned to Vulcan, who willingly executed 
it to revenge himfelf on her for having brought 
him into the world in l'uch a Hate of deformity. 

None of the gods could deliver her from 
thefe fetters. They were obliged to have re- 
courfe to Vulcan, who, as his reward, demanded 
in marriage Venus, the moil beautiful of the 
goddeiTes. 

This punilhment did not reform Juno. The 
nymph 16 , daughter of Inachus and Ifmena. 
having engaged the affections of Jupiter, became 
the objedt of her revenge. 

To conceal this nymph from the knowledge of 
Juno, Jupiter metamorphofed her into a cow; 
but this artifice could not deceive the goddefs: 
dhe, in a peremptory manner, demanded that this 
cow fhould be cntrailed to her, and Jupiter 
dared not refufe. When in her poffeflion die 
committed it to the care of Argus, who had an 
hundred eyes. 

To furprife this fpy was impoflible : fifty of his 
eyes watched, whilfl the other fifty took repofe— 
a perfedt image ol jealoufy. 

However, Mercury, at the requefl of Jupiter, 
lulled him to deep with his flute, and then flew 
him. Juno, to recompenfe Argus, changed him 
into a peacock, and was pleafed that his eyes 
Ihould remain imprinted upon his plumage. 



HISTORY OF JUNO. 


1 *3 

This bird was efpecially confecrated to her: 
fhe is frequently reprefented in a car drawn by 
two of them. 

The death of Argus did not deliver the un¬ 
happy Id from the perfections of Juno. She 
produced from the earth a gad fly, which incef- 
fantly purfued the daughter of Inachus. Driven 
to defpair by thefe perpetual torments, fhe 
plunged into the fea, fwam acrofs the Mediter¬ 
ranean, and landed in Egypt, where fhe recovered 
her original form. 

She had a foil named Epaphus. The worfhip 
paid by the Egyptians to the goddefs Ifis, under 
the form of a cow, has certainly given occafion 
to this fable ; and the manner in which Id crofled 
the Mediterranean can have been nothing but a 
voyage by fea. 

Mercury was the meflenger of Jupiter, and 
Iris that of Juno, who, in return for her fervices, 
placed her in Eleaven under the form of a 
rainbow. 

The children of Cadmus, whofe After Europa 
was carried off by Jupiter, were the unhappy 
viftims of Juno’s jealoufy. Ino the eldefl: of the 
four daughters of this prince, having efpoufed 
Athamas, was fo peifecuted by Juno, that fhe 
threw herfelf into the fea, with her Ion Melicertes, 
who was afterwards honoured as a fea god, under 
the name of Palaemon. 


I 


Agave, 



HISTORY OF JUNTO. 


114 

Agave, daughter of Echion, faw her fon Pen- 
theus torn in pieces by the Bacchanalians. 

Autonoe, wife of Ariftaeus, with grief beheld 
her fon Adtaeon changed into a flag, and devoured 
by his own dogs. This young prince conducted 
by Juno, or fome fatal chance, had furprill'd 
Diana bathing. Laftly, Semele, the wife of 
Amphytrion, having, at the inftigation of Juno, 
defired to fee Jupiter in all his glory, was con 
fumed by the rays which furrounded him. 

Such were the cruel means by which Juno 
revenged heiiclf on the charms of Europe, for 
having engaged the affections of Jupiter. 

Agina, daughter of Afopus king of the country 
of Aagina, became a fource of milery to her 
unhappy fubjecls, Juno vifited them with a 
deadly pcftilence, becaufe fie had inspired Jupiter 
with fentiments of tendernefs. Abacus, fon of 
Agina, intreating his father Jupiter to re-people 
the country, that god, from an old oak in Lire 
foreft of Dodona, produced a prodigious fwar.m 
of ants, which were immediately metamorphofui 
into men. 

The Greeks who followed Achilles to the 
Trojan war, pretended to be defeended from thefe 
ants. They were called Myrmidons, from the 
Greek word myrmex , which fgnifics an ant. 

Juno is generally reprefented under the figure 

of a woman Hated upon a throne, holding in one 

hand 





hand a (centre, and in the other a fpindle ; on her 
head is a radiant crown. Sometimes her head is 
encircled with a rainbow. 

In her temple at Argos, was her .'hitno of gold 
and ivory of prodigious live, and above it were 
placed the hours and graces. 

This goducls principally prefided over empires 
and riches. She offered both, but in vain, to 
Paris, if lie would give her the apple in pre¬ 
ference to Venus. She alfo prefided over child¬ 
birth ; on which occafion hie was called Lucina; 
and when hie is reprefented exercifing this func¬ 
tion, hie is feen leated, holding in one hand an 
infant in Twaddling clothes, and in the other a 
flower; or ellc with a whip in one hand, and a 
feeptre in the other. 

During the feafts called Lupercalia, the women 
were defirous of being ltruck with this wdiip. 

At Rome hie had a magnificent temple, under 
the name of Matuta ; another at Samos, under 
that of Samia. Sometimes fhe was called the 


botli equally fertilize the earth. Of all the pagan 
divinities, there was none whole worfliip was more 
lolemn, or more univerfal. The prodigies hi* 
had operated, and her vengeance when ncgledtec!, 
or when any one had the temerity to put them- 
iclves in competition with her, infpired lo much 
fear and awe, that nothing was omitted to honour 




HISTORY OF JUNO. 



her, and render her propitious ; fo that her wor- 
jfhip was more general even than that of Jupiter. 
Divine honours were paid to her in Europe, Alia, 
Africa, and particularly in Syria and Egypt, 
though we muft remark, that the Juno of the 
Egyptians was the fame as Ifis and Aftarte. 
Young geefe, the hawk, and the peacock, were 
particularly confecrated to her. Among the 
Egyptians the vulture. Of plants, the dittany and 
poppy were offered to her. In her facrifices a ewe 
lamb was the ordinary viftirn. So great was the 
refpedt for this goddefs, that every one having 
their genius , that of the women was called Juno. 

Cleobis and Biton, two brothers celebrated for 
their piety, drew the chariot of their mother, who 
was going to the temple of Juno, the diftance of 
forty ftadia. The grateful parent befought Juno 
to reward them as their piety deferved. After 
having offered their facrifices, the brothers tooi. 
their repair and retired peacefully to reft, but it 
was to their eternal reft, they flept to wake no 
more. From that time the inhabitants of Argos 

V.J 

looked upon death as the molt perfect repofe, and 
the greatell of bleflings. They raifed two ftattics 


•to Cleobis and hiton, where they were reprefented 
drawing the chariot of their mother. 



HISTORY OF HYMEN, &C. 



Tin* History of Hymen, Hymkn/Eus and other 
Deities who presided over Marriace. 

W e think it proper that the hiftory of 
Juno Lucina fhould be followed by that of 

1 Iymen. 

It was from him that the Greeks gave this 
name to the union of man and wife, and that of 
Hymentea to marriage feftivais. 

It is faid that there was at Athens a young man 
of lingular beauty, but very poor and of obfeure 
birth, whole name was Hymenaeus. He fixed 
his affections on a female of his own country, 
much fuperior to him in rank and fortune. One 
day as fire was going with the Athenian women to 
celebrate a fcait in honour of Ceres upon the fea 
IS ore—from which men were excluded—Hyme- 
n.xus difguifed himfelf as a woman and joined in 
the proccffion. During the ceremony the women 
were furprifed and carried off by pirates. In¬ 
flamed by the fight of the wine brought for the 
(eftival, they drank till they were intoxicated, and 

the fumes fo overpowered their fenfes that they 
tell into a profound fieep. 

1 he valiant I Iymenmus then made himfelf 
.•mown, exhorted the women to affifl him, feieed 

i 3 the 



* * r > 
1 lo 


HISTORY OF HYMEN, &C. 


the arms of their ravifhers, and mafiacred them 
v/hilft in a fhite of infenfibility. After this ex- 
ploit Hymenreus haftened to Athens, told vdi.it 
he had done for the deliverance of the Athenian 
ladies, and demanded, as his reward, the obje. - 


of his love in marrian" • 


o'- 3 


which requefi: 


w ': 


granted. 

The Athenians in commemoration of tin- 
event, and the happy maniage it was the occ.;- 
fion of, afterwards invoked Hymen.rus as a diu 
nity, and celebrated !cafes to his honour. 

To give lu tire to his obfeure birth, it was re¬ 
ported that he was defeended from the god off - 
and the mufe Calliope. 

This deity was always reprefented under the 


V I'll 


figure of a beautiful young man, crowned 
flowers and marjoram, holding in his right him.! 
a flambeau, and in Iris left a veil, the colour 
fire, or a bright yellow. 

Though the Romans adopted this divinity w 
the Greeks, they wiflied likewife to have the’r 
own god of marriage. A cireum(lance ncady 
firnilar to that juft related, having happened at tin- 
time o( the raj re of the Sabine women; Thalaflim, 
the hero of that adventure, received the 
honours as I iymenseus. 

The Romans likewife honoured two other 
deities, as prefiding over marriage, Jugatinusaml 
Domiducus. 



JlI.S'iORV 



HISTORY OF CF.RES, 



HISTORY OF CERES. 



he fable and hiftory of Ceres ought 
properly to be clafled with thofe of the infernal 
deities; but we think it necelfary to relate part of 
it to facilitate the knowledge of the family of the 

Titans. 

The fame reafbn will induce us afterwards to 
2 ,ive fome account of Atlas and his daughters. 

Ceres was daughter of Saturn and Cybele, and 
was luppofed to be the full who cultivated the 
earth. 

Pluto her brother having carried off her daugh¬ 
ter Proferpine, and taken her to the infernal re¬ 
gions—that is to Spain—Ceres complained of this 
violence to Jupiter, who decreed, that ihe fhould 
go and demand her daughter, and that Pluto 
ihould be compelled to reftore her, provided Hie 
had neither eaten nor drunken during her relidence 
in his dominions; unfortunately fhe had already 
taken partol a pomegranate, which was perceived 
and told by Afcalaphus. This fo irritated Ceres 
that Ihe threw fome of the waters of Phlegethon 
into the informer’s face, and he was immediately 
transformed into an owl, the harbinger of mif- 
iortune, 

1 4 


Minerva 



12(9 


HISTORY OF CERES. 


Minerva afterwards took the owl under her 
prote&ion, becaufe it is a watchful bird and 
difcerns objects in the dark—an allegory perfectly 
applicable to wifdom, which is always guarded 
againft furprife. 

In feeking the explanation of this fable we find, 
that, by the advice of Afcalaphus, Proferpine 
ccnfented to efpoufe Pluto, which was the caui'e 
of much regret to Ceres. Afcalaphus became the 
objeCt of her vengeance; but it appears that his 
prudence and wifdom engaged Minerva to take 
him under her protection. 

Jupiter, willing to appeafe and confole Ceres, 
permitted Proferpine to pafs one half of the 
year in the infernal regions, and the other half in 
heaven. This divifion of the year admits of tv.o 
explanations. 

Proferpine was frequently taken for the moon; 
and this fable was intended to exprefs the time 
when fhe difappears: but it is explained in a man¬ 
ner ftill more natural by faying, that Jupiter per¬ 
mitted her to pafs part of the year in the dominion; 
of Pluto, and part with her mother Ceres. 

We fhall not dwell too much upon the expla¬ 


nation of thefe fables, but we think it necedary to 
give foine examples, in order to accuflom our 
readers to make ufc of their fagacity, and we doubt 
not but on many occafiors we lhall be furpaikr. 
jn this fjpecics of ftudy and refcarch. 



HISTORY OF THE ATLANTIDES. 


121 


The fountain of Arethufa which flowed under 
ground, was witnefs to this aft of violence on the 
part of Pluto. She informed Ceres of it, who, 
with two flambeaus in her hand, went in quell of 
her daughter. 

Arethufa, daughter of Nereus and the nymph 
Doris, had been one of Diana’s nvmphs, and 
was by her metamorphofcd into a fountain, to 
fave her when purfued by the river Alpheus. 
We have already given the explanation of 
this fable. 


We /hall purfiie no farther the hifiory of Ceres, 
as we /Trail meet with it again in /peaking of the 
infernal deities. 

Diodorus Siculus relates, that after the death 
of Hyperion, the children of Uranus divided 
the kingdom amongll them. 'Hie two moil 
famous of their children were Saturn and Atlas. 

The maritime parts were the portion of Atlas. 
His fubjefls were called Atlantes, and his name 
was likewile given to the higheit mountain of the 
country. He excelled in aftronomy, and was the 
lirft who rcprelentcd the terrelli ial globe by a 
iphere, which gave occaflon to the (able of his 

iupporting the world upon his flioulders. He had 
leveral children. 


J Iefpcrus was the moll remarkable for his piety. 


joliice, and goodnels. 
lughdl point of Mount 


Doing one 


day on the 
Atlas, lie was earned 




J2C 


HISTORY OF THE ATLAXTIDF.S. 


sway by a Hidden guft of wind, and his bod) 
could never be found. 

The people, affected at his unhappy face, and 
mindful of his virtues, thought he was taken by 
the gods up to heaven, and granted him divine 
honours. To perpetuate his name, it was given 
to the mo ft brilliant of the planets. 

Adas had leven daughters much celebrated,who 
were called Atlantides; but their real names were 
Maia, Eledtra, Taygete, Afterope, Merope, 
Alcyone, and Cadeno. 

They were beloved by the molt illuftrious 
heroes, and had children, who afterwards equalled 


their fathers, and became fovereigns of power¬ 
ful nations. Maia, the ekleft, had, by Jupiter, • 
Mercury the inventor of arts. 

According to the Grecian accounts, almofi 

O J 


all their heroes were defeended from the At 


lan titles. 


After their death they were honoured as god 
defies, and placed among the conflellationy 
under the name of th.e Pleiades. They weir 
fometimes called I iefperid.es, from their mothc; 
I lefpt ris. 

Their great reputation for beauty induced JBi'.'i - 
ri. r , king of Spain, to attempt carrying them of! 
by means of pirates, whom he lent into then 
country. Thefe pirates iurprifed them in a gar 
den, leized them, and were preparing to cm bar!-: 

them. 



HISTORY OF THE ATI. ANTI DES. 


I2 3 


-them, when their cries were heard by Hercules 
who happened to be upon the fea fhore. He ran 
to their atfiftancc, eafily put to flight their cowardly 
ravifliers, and reftored them to their father Atlas, 
who out of gratitude gave him the golden apples 
of the garden of the Hefuerides, which the hero 

D *• 

was come to conquer, by order ofEricftheus, king 
of Athens. 

Thefe golden apples were probably oranges, at 
that time very rare, which Atlas carefully guarded 
by large maftift's; and tins gave rife to the fable, 
that they were of gold, and defended by a dragon. 

Atlas did not confine his gratitude to this tri¬ 
fling prefent, he inftrucled Hercules in aftronomy, 
and that hero acquired immortal glory by firft 
introducing into Greece the knowledge of the 
fphere. 

It was on this ocrafon, that Atlas was feigned 

9 

to have requefted him to bear the burden of the 
world a fhort time, that he might obtain fome 
repofe. 

Mount Atlas is of fuch a ftupendous height, that 
it Teems to reach the heavens, its fummit is loft in 
the clouds, and the poets confounding this moun¬ 
tain with the prince whofe name it bore, deferibed 
Atlas as fupponing the world. It was likewilt 
fpeaking of this mountain, that the poets in the 
liiftory of Perfcus, reprefented him as metamor- 

phofing 



124 


HISTORY OF THE SUM. 


phofing Atlas into a rock, by prefenting to him 
the head of hUedufa. 

The Hyades likewife palled for the daughters 
of Atlas: they were reckoned fix in number, 
Eudora, Ambrofia, Pedilla, Coronis, Phileto and 
Polixo. Some add Thyaneas. They derive their 
name from the Greek word Hyade , which fignifies 
rainy. 

It appears, that thefe pretended daughters of 
Atlas were poetical perfonag’es, which reprefented 
fome liars difcovered by Atlas; as we at prefent 
give the name of Herfchell to the planet lately dip 
covered by that famous Aftronomer. 


HISTORY OF THE SUN. 

The Greeks and Romans always con¬ 
founded the fun with Apollo. Plato allures us thcv 
were the fame. Cicero fays, the fun and moon 
arc two divinities, one of which is called Apollo, 
and the other Diana. Plutarch is of the fame 
opinion. Notwithllanding thefe authorities, the 
Arundclian marble, and all ancient monuments 
prove, that they fnouid be diftinguifhed from each 
other. 

Apollo is always painted under the figure of a 
young man, having a bow, or a lyre, in Ids hand, 

whilfi 



HISTORY OF TIIF. SUN'. 



whilft the fun is reprefented with his head fur- 
rounded with rays, holding in one hand a globe, 
which is never obferved in any reprefentation of 
Apollo. 

The adoration of the fun is the firffc idolatrous 
worfhip known: we have already given an account 
of it under the name of Subifm. The Egyptians, 
Phoenicians, Arabians, and Perfians adored the fun 
long before the Apollo of the Greeks was known. 

It was worfhipped by all the people of the eaft; 
by the Chaldeans and Phoenicians under the name of 
Belus; by the Egyptians, under that of Ofiris and 
Orus his fon; the Ammonites called it Moloch; the 
Perfians Mythras : it was only among the Greeks 
and Romans that thefe two divinities were con¬ 
founded together. The fun was particularly adored 
in the IHe of Rhodes; the inhabitants of which 
railed to its honour a coloffal ftatue of brafs ail 
hundred feet high. It was one of the leven won¬ 
ders of the world, and was overthrown by an earth¬ 
quake. 


1 Iiftory tells us, 


that the Saracens having 


taken this Illand, loaded nine hundred camels with 


the Fragments of this Hattie alone. 

Antiquity has tranfmitteu to us the names of the 
four hories which drew the chariot of the fun. 


Ovid calls them Elous, Pyrois, /Erhon, 
Phlegon; names which fignify in Greek, 
Luminous, Shining, and to love the Earth. 


and 

Red, 

The 




i‘i6 


HISTORY OK THE SUN; 


firft denotes the rifing of the fun, whole rays at the-: 
moment are red; the fecond, the period when it 
acquires a brighter colour; the third reprefen ts noon, 
when it is in all its glory; and the fourth, the time 
of its fetting, when it appears to approach the 
earth. 

The fun prefides over the twelve figns of the 
Zodiac, each of which anfwers to a month of the 
year; fo that the fun by completing his courl’e 
through them in twelve months, has procured 

O x 

them the appellation of the twelve houles of the 
fun. 

In March he enters the ilgn of the ram, wife!: 
reprefonts that upon which Phryxus and Kelle 1 led 
to efcape the perfecutions of tiieir cruel dep- 
.mother. 

In April, he enters the Bull, which reprehend 
the animal whole form Jupiter afiumed to carry cii 
I’.tiropa. 

In May, that of the twins, which reprefenr 
Callor and Pollux, foils of Jupiter and Leda. 

In June, that of the Crab, fuppoled to be the 


fame which came to bite Hercules while kiiii::» 
the Hydra of Lerna. 

In July, that of the Lion, wliich reprefents the 
one llain by Hercules in the Pored of Nemca, 
whole (kin he wore on his liioulders. 


In Augult, that of the Virgin, or Adrca. Du¬ 
ring the golden age die dwelt upon earth, bin 

3 when 



History of the sum 




When that terminated, unable to fupport the fight 
of human depravity, fhe afcended to heaven with 
the other gods. She was the laft that quitted the 


earth, and retired to that part of heaven which 


forms the fign of the Virgin. 


In September, the fun enters the fign of the 
Balance, which reprefents Juftice, whole Balance 
ought always to be equally poifed—It fignifies like- 
wile that in this month, day and night are of equal 
length. 

In October it enters the fign of the Scorpion, 
which reprefents Orion, whom Diana metamor- 
p ho fed into that Animal. 

In November, that of Sagittarius, which repre¬ 
fents the Centaur Chiron who was an archer. He 
was the preceptor of Hercules, and much beloved 
by that grateful hero; but in the battle between 
he Lapithm and the Centaurs, Hercules involun¬ 
tarily wounded him with one of his arrows dipt in 
the blood of the Hydra, which occafioned fuch 
racking torture that, thcuglfimmort.il, hewifhedto 
die. The gods moved with his complaints grant¬ 
ed his rcquell. '! ie died, and was tranflated to 
heaven, where he was placed among the fhms ot 

I * -/ O 

the Zodiac. 

In December, that of the Goar, which repre¬ 
fents the Goat Amaltiiea, or the I VinceIs Mclifia 
who ntirlcd Jupiter dining his infancy. 

In Jan nary, that of Aquarius wiiich reprefents 

Ganymede 



HISTORY OF THE SUM. 


Xl$ 

Ganymede pouring out nedtar for Jupiter and die 
other gods.'—It likewife denotes the abundance of 
rain which falls in this month. 

In February, it enters the fign called Pi fees, 
which reprelents the Dolphins who drew the car 
of Neptune and Amphitrite. 

Men did not confine themfelves to Aftronomv; 

J 1 

die defire of penetrating into futurity gave birth to 
Aftrologyi a falle fcience, calculated to deceive 
the ignorant and gratify the avarice of thole who 
knew how to turn it to their advantage. Afcrolo- 
gers, to make themfelves of greater importance, 
pretended that each fign of the Zodiac aniv/ered 
to a part of the human body. 

Among thole perfons who conftituted figns of 
the Zodiac, we mull particularly remark Orion, 
whole dory is as follows:— 

Jupiter, Neptune, and Mercury, making the 
tour of the earth, went to the houfe of one CEnopcus 
or Hyreus, who not only received them with 
hofpitalitv, but killed his only remaining ox for 
their entertainment. The gods admiring the 
good intention and gencrofity of this honed man, 
told him, they would grant whatever he fhonld 
delire. A fon, without a wife, was his requed j it 
was granted, and the gods produced Orion from 
the flein of the fame ox that had been killed lor 
their repad: they formed him with a mixture of 
earth and water. 


i 


Orion 



HISTORY OF THE SUN". 



Orion when arrived at years of maturity, became 
a hunter, but being mortally wounded by a Ser¬ 
pent, Diana, goddefs of' the chace, changed him 
into the conflellation which bears Ids name. 

Orion is thought to have been a dilciple of 
Atlas, and to havefirft inflrudlcd the Greeks in the 
movements of the celeftial bodies, for which reafon, 
ar his death, he was placed among the figns of the 
Zodiac. The Sun was fuppofed to have feveral 
children. Otes and Pafiphae pafled for his 
daughters, and Rhodia, fo called from the ifiand 
of Rhodes. The poets fay, that-the clay fire was 
born there fell a fit owe r of gold, and that the rofe 
trees of the ifiand of Rhodes fhot forth in frefh 
bloffoms. 

But the moil diftinmji fhed of his children were Au- 
rota and Phaeton. Aurora every morning opens the 
gates of heaven, precedes her father, and announces 
his return. Site one day carried ofFTithonus, fon 
ofLaomedon, and petitioned the gods to render 
him immortal; her requeft was granted, but fhe 
could not obtain for him eternal youth. Tithonus, 
fecure of immortality, thought only of the happi- 
nefs he enjoyed with his Aurora; he forgot that 
time has wings, and in its flight carries away youth 
and beauty. Its ravages had no efTeft on Aurora, 
pofiefied of all the attributes of a divinity, whilft 


every day, every year, hurried on Tithonus to a 
Hate of infirmity and old age. The difgult which 





*3® 


HISTORY OF THE SUN', 


attends this flate rendered life infupportable; im¬ 
mortality to him was now only a painful burthen; 
he again had recourfe to the influence of Aurora 
with the gods; and fhe, moved with companion., 
procured his transformation into a grafhopper. 

This charming Grecian fable is an allegory, t! c 
objedt of which is, to exhibit to our view the iin 
prudence of many of our wifhes, and to fhow, thai 
were they all to be granted, we fhould frequently 
only eternize our mifery and regret. 

From the union of Aurora and Tithonus fprur.:' 
Memnon, who affifted Priam in the Trojan wa: 
He was flain by Achilles, and his mother from 1A 
funeral pile produced birds, which from that tiny 
were called Memnonides. 

Aurora made a fecond rape, which was attendee 
with melancholy circumftanccs. 

Cephalus was newly married to Procris. Theii 
tendernefs was mutual, and nothing was wanting u 
complete their happinefs. The pleafures of the 
chace frequently led Cephalus into the woods be 
fore break of day. Aurora furprifed him, an' 
carried him off in her chariot. The fight of the 
goddefs did not prevent him from delivering liirn- 
felf up to all the dc-fpair he felt at being feparalie 
from his beloved Procris. 


Aurora reftored him to the earth, and gave him 
a javelin which never failed of its intended objrcff 
His pafilon for hunting again carried Ccplvilm 


into 



HISTORY OF l‘HAF.TON\ 


into the woods; his wife alarmed at his frequent 
abfence, and fearful of a new rival among the 
nymphs, or even goddeffes, went and concealed 
herfelf in the middle of a thicket to obferve his 
motions; an involuntary movement which fire 
made occafioning fome noife, deceived Cephalus; 
he levelled the fatal fhaft, and with his own hand 
pierced the bread of the tender, unhappy IYocris, 


HISTORY OF PIIAETOX 


r- T'l 

1 he fall of the rafh Phaeton, offspring 
of the Sun, is too well known to be palled over in 
filence. 


Kpaphus fon 


J 


and the nymph lb, 


difputed him the honour of being defcended from 
the Sun. Phaeton irritated at this reproach, con¬ 
fided his mother Climene, who adviled him to go 
to the palace of his father, and demand fome proof 
of his delcent. The Sun having fworn by the 
river Styx that he would grant whatever lie fhould 
tie fire, the imprudent Phaeton demanded for a 
Tingle day only, the command of the chariot which 
brings light to the world. T he cod of day no longer 
able to refufe, was obliged to comply, in vain 

did he give dirc&ions to the ra:h vouih. The 

» 

a ho ribs 



132 


HISTORY OF APOLI.O. 


horfes quickly perceived the weaknefs of the hand 
which guided them; they quitted the track they 
ought to have purfued, and involved heaven and 
earth in one general conflagration. 

The unhappy Phaeton was, by a thunderbolt 
from Jupiter, precipitated into the river Po. The 
Heliades, his difconfolate filters, were changed 
into poplars, and their tears into drops of amber: 
Cygnus his brother died of grief, and was meta- 
morphofed into a fwan. 

This fable appears to be an allegorical deferip- 
tion of an ambitious young man, who engages in 
undertakings beyond his ftrength. However, wc 
read of one Phaeton a great aftronomer, who 
reigned over the country of the Moloffi, and 
drowned himfelf in tire river Po. 


HISTORY ANT) FAULT: OF APOLLO. 



eriT!-:a having quitted Juno for Laion.-. 
had by her two children, Apollo and Diar.i. 
Before their birth the enraged goddels incited 
again!! her rival a dieadlu! ierpent called Python. 


'Phis monller, according to the poets, was pro¬ 
duced from the mud left upon tire earth after lie 
univerial dchiue. T his fable much rcfembles that 

^ J 

of the ierpent; ^cneraial by the peliilencial c\ 



HISTORY OF APOLLO. 


*33 


halations of the river Nile; anti there is every reafon 
to believe, that the Greeks formed their Apollo 
after the model of Orus fon of Ofiris, whom the 
Egyptians confounded with the fun. 

We fhall give the Lory of Apollo, as tranfmit- 
ted to us by the poets. 

Juno inccflantly purfuing her rival, prevailed 
upon the earth to afford her no afylum. Latona 
(whole name figniiies concealed) took refuge in 
a floating ifland in the Archipelago, called Delos, 
which was frequently covered with water. 

Neptune, out of companion to Latona, fecured 
this ifland from being overflowed, and gave it a 
permanent foundation. It was here fhe brought 
forth Apollo and Diana. The dread of Juno pre¬ 
vented her long refidence on this ifland; fire fled 
continually from place to place. One day tra¬ 
velling the country of Lycia, fhe came to a marfh 
where fome peafants were working; exhaufled 
with third: and fatigue, lire .requcfled of them a 
little water, it will preferve my life, faid flic. 
The Lycians however, inlligated by Juno, refufed 
her this fmall relief, and even infulted her; to 
punilh their brutal inhumanity, Latona metamor- 
phofed them into frogs. We (hall not give the. 
hillory at length of Apollo and Diana; it is to be 
met with in all poetry, both ancient and modern; 
we fhall confine ourfelves to the principal features 
.uid moll intcrelling Lories. 


K 3 


Apollo 



134 


HISTORY OF APOLLO. 


Apollo had feveral different names. He was 
called Delos, from the ifland Delos where he was 
born; Phcebus, alluding to the light of the fun; 
Phos, and Bios, fignifying light and life; and 
Pythius, from the victory he gained over the fer- 
pent Python. (This vidtory mud be attributed 
to the fun, which by giving heat to the earth, and 
drying its ftagnated waters, cieftroys venemotis 
reptiles). 

He was called Adliacus, from Adlium, a pro¬ 
montory famous for the vidtory which rendered 
A uguftus inafter of Rome and the whole world. 
The name of Palatinus was given to him, became 
AuguRus built him a temple on mount Palatine, 
to which he added a library. Apollo was banifhed 
heaven, for having with his arrows flain the Cy¬ 
clops who forged the thunder of Jupiter. 

The Rory is as follows: 

Iffculapius, fon of Apollo, had made furh pro- 
grefs in the fciencc of medicine, under the inflruc- 
tion of his father and the centaur Chiron, that he 
had been able to reRore to life Uippolitus, fon or 
Thcfcus. (We Hull give the hiitory of Hippo- 
Jitus in the fecond part of this work, under the 
article Heroes.) 

Jupiter, offended that a mortal fhould prefume 
to ufurp his privilege, ftruck the too llcilful phy 
Rcian with a thunderbolt. 

Apollo, unable to revenge himfclf upon Jupiter, 

wreafed 



HISTORY OF APOLLO. 


*3 5 


wreaked his vengeance upon the Cyclops, by Hay¬ 
ing them with his arrows. No weapon was more 
dreadful than thefe arrows of Apollo; it was with 

more juftice he employed them againft the ferpent 

* 

Python, which Juno had railed up againft himfelf 
and his mother Latona. The deftruftion of this 
monfter gave rife to the Pythian Games lb famous 

in Greece. 

During the celebration of thefe games, which 
was every fourth year, they contended in Hinging, 
dancing and mufic; and the reward of the vidor 
was a crown of laurel. 

It is neceffary to explain the idea which the 
Greeks, and the ancients in general, entertained of 
thefe arrows of Apollo. They reprefented the 
rays of the fun, and were fuppofed to polfefs fa 
much power, that all Hidden deaths were attributed 
to them. Homer was of the fame opinion, with 
this difference, that the death of women appeared 
to him to proceed from the vengeance of Diana, 
or the moon, and that of the men, from Apollo, 
or the fun. The hiftory of the children ol Niobe, 
killed by Apollo and Diana, proves what influence 
was aferibed to the lun and moon. 

The haughty Niobe, incenled that divine ho¬ 
nours were paid to Latona, whilll (lie, though 
equally entitled to them by birth and the number 
of her offspring, was negleded, liakenal to 1'hcbcs, 
and endeavoured to interrupt the facnJices offering 


k 4 


r 


to 



HISTORY OF APOLLO, 


136 

to that goddefs. This infult drew on her the 
vengeance of Apollo and Diana, who pierced her 
children with their arrows, whilft performing their 
exerciles on the plains near Thebes. 


We fhall explain this (lory by comparing it with 
hiftory. Niobe, daughter of Tantalus and liflcr n 
Pelops, accompanied her brother, when he rair..' 
into that part of Greece which from him was called 
Peloponnefus. She married Amphion, a priun¬ 
celebrated for his eloquence, who had juft buiS 
the walls o f the city of Thebes, by perfuacli.w 
his fubjefts to facrifire feme part of their prop.-ry 
to put their city in a date of defence. 

This fame prince being an admirer of muiin- 
added three new firings to the four which the 
lyre already pofleffed. Thole two circumftanct.i 
were the caule of the fable, that he had built tb' 
walls of Thebes by the harmony of his lyre. 

The marriage of Amphion and Niobe v.-.n 
productive ot a numerous offspring; they hau 
fourteen children, but were all carried off bv 
cruel peflilence which defoliated the country. 

Tins pcRikr/e being attributed to intenfe hear 
which night icfelf could not allay, the ftury o f 
their death which we have juft given was invennd. 

Jl was from the prevalence of this fame opiniw. 
that Mornei* fays, the Greeks were vifited with .1 
pellilcncc as foon as Apollo had dilcharged ho. 


arrows. 



HISTORY OF APOI.IO. 


i«7 

Whenever they wifhed to deferibe Apollo as 
irritated, they reprefented him armed with hi's 
arrows, and when appealed, holding a lyre in his 
hand. In the time of contagious diflempers they 

placed branches of laurel before their doors, hoping 
the nod would fparc thole who rendered this ho- 
r.our to his beloved nymph Daphne, whom he had 
ntetamorphoh'd into a laurel tree. 

Homer lays, that the children of Niobc remained 
unburied nine days, and were then interred by the 
ods themfelves. Jliftory lavs, that thefe princes 
dying of the 1 pellilence, it was along time before 
anybody dared approach them. 


guuo 



The Thebans, terrified for their own 
appeared infallible to the rni.doirunes of their 
queen; anti this was the origin of the ilory, that 
they were changed into Hone:-. Yet feme among 
them, from motives of attachment, bellowed the 
rites of fepuiture on them; and to loothc the 
defpair of Niobc, reporn d rhaii.'u-y were buried 
by the gods. Amphion loon after dial of grief, 
or of the plague, and N’ioh'- nr nnlhlable lor her 
misfortunes, returned into Lydia, and lived at the 



ioot o/ mount Sipylus, where iorrow ( 
nunated her exiflenecn 

Siu^ was feigned r.o h.ave been rui'iied into a 

.uenr, becaufc the e>:rt f.s of her iufleiinp’S in Ionic 

^ > 

manner rendered her mlmlibie, end deprivtal her 

even to niter her complaints. 

J upitcr 



HISTORY OP APOLLO. 


138 

Jupiter revenged the death of the Cyclops by 
banifning Apollo from heaven, (that is, from the 
government he had entrufted to him.) 

He found an afylum at the court of Admetus, 
who received him favourably, and conferred on 
him the fovereignty of that part of his dominions 
iituated on the banks of the river Amphrifus. hi 
thole difeant ages, the names of pallor and king 
were frequently fynonimous. The fable deferibes 
Apollo as tending the flocks of Admetus, which 
was the caufe of his being regarded as god of the 

00 o 

ihephercis. It adds, that Mercury having difeo- 
vered him in this new capacity, dexteroufly Hole 
one of his cows, and Apollo feeking for his 
arrows to punilh the thief, found that they like- 
wife were flolen. 

It was during this exile that Daphne, daughter 
of the river Peneus, was metamorphofed into a 
laurel, at the moment when her feeble limbs, una¬ 
ble 1 onger to continue her flight, had nearly lclc 
her a prey to her purfuer, Apollo. The god was 
pleafed to confecrate tins tree to himfclf, and to 
appropriate a crown of its foliage to thofe who 
fhould excel in poetry and in the Pythian Games, 
Pliny, the naturalifl, allures us, that the laurel 
has the remarkable property of being never ilruok 
with thunder, A fragment of Hi (lory relates 
that Daphne, daughter to a king of Theflaly, 
named Peneus, being purfued by a young prince 



HISTORY OK APOI.I.O, 


*39 

upon the borders of a river, called likewife Peneus, 
fell into it and was drowned; and that the great 
quantity of laurels which grew on the banks of 
this river caufcd it to be laid, that fne was meta- 
znorpheied into that tree. 

Ic was not long after, that Apollo inadvertently 
killed the young Hyacinthus, to whom he was 
tenderly attached, Zephyrus, who likewife loved 
this youth-, jealous on feeing him play at quoits with 
Apollo, with a blaft of his breath drove the quoit 
•of the god with fo much violence, that it beat out 
the brains of the unhappy Hyacinthus. Apollo 
changed him into a flower, which bears the fame 

His ufelefs regret for this unintentional 


name. 


murder, did not appeafe the parents of Hyacinthus. 
To avoid their implacable I'evenge, he fled for 
refuge to Laomedon, king of Troy, who begged 
his affiftance in building the walls of that city. 

Here he met with Neptune, who, like himfelf, 
exiled by Jupiter, was wandering over the earth. 
The Laomedon* after havino- received 

O 

their fcrvices* refufed them their promiled reward. 
Jn revenge, Neptune demolifhed their work by an 
inundation* and Apollo vifited the Trojans with 
a dreadful peflilence. The oracle being confulted 
on the means of appealing heaven, returned for 
anfwer, that a Trojan virgin* chofen by lot, muft be 
expofed annually upon the rocks to be devoured 

by a fca monftcr. 'The firft victim was He/ionr, 


cl 


augiher 



1 ,{0 


HISTORY OF APOLLO. 


daughter of Laomedon ; neither the power of 
her father, nor her own beauty, were able to lave 
her; the oracle muft be obeyed: happily at this 
moment Hercules came to her afliftance and kil¬ 
led the monfter. The avaricious Laomedon had 
the bafenefs to refufe him two fine horfes which 
he had promifed for fo eminent a fervice; this lb 
enraged the hero, that he facrificed Laomedon to 

o J 

his refentment, fet fire to the city, and carried 
away priioner his fon Priam. 

Thefe two fables being connected with the hil- 
tory of Hercules, we fliall give the explanation o' 
them when we come to treat of that demi-god. 

Some time after thefe adventures, Apollo was 
permitted to return to heaven, and was reftored to 
his former condition. Jupiter confided to his care 
the chariot of the lbn, and appointed him to difruic 
light over the earth. 

o 

Cicero dilrinpuifhcs four of the name of Apollo; 
the three kid were Grecian princes; the moll 
ancient of ail was Orus, ion of Ofiris and lib. 
His mother gave him for nurfe I.atona; and to 

V ‘ ? 

protect him from the perfecutions of Typhoa, 
flie concealed him in the lfiand of Chemnis, fitua 
ted upon a. lake near Bures, which was the n:ui\■: 
city of .I.atona. \Vc have already obferved that 
OIirisj and after him Orus his fon, were, amo:i" 
the Lp'/ptians, fymbols of the fun. 'Lhe Greeks 
aimed always confounded Ofiris with their Jupiter; 



HISTORY OF APOI.LO. 


M* 


it is therefore by no means furprifing, that having 
given the name of Apollo to fevcral of their princes, 
they fhould have confounded them with the Egyp¬ 
tian deity of the fame name. 

Of all the pagan deities, to none have the poets 
afcribed more wonderful qualifies. 

Pie is defcribed as the inventor of poetry, mufic 
and eloquence. No divinity poflcfied a better 
knowledge of futurity; his oracles were innumer¬ 
able. To all tliefe advantages he united beauty, 
grace, and the power of charming by his wit, 
and the harmony of his lyre. The title of God 
of Day, furpaffes any eulogium which the molt 
brilliant imagination can bellow on him. Among 
the Grecian princes who bore the name of Apollo, 
was one, who having engaged the afFedtions of 


Clitie, a nymph of the ocean, deferted her for 
Leucothoe, daughter of Orchamus, king of Baby¬ 
lon; and Clitie in defpair refilling all nourifhmem 
pined to death. 

'Hie poets oblerving that the heliotrope, or fun 
flower, conflantly turned towards the fun, took 
advantage of this difeovery to feign that Clitie 
was metamorphofed into that flower; and that 
ftill retaining her fallibility, flic conflantly turned 
towards the lun to reproach his infidelity. The 
poets wi/lied likewiJe to aflign an oiigin to the 
cyprofs, a kaflefs melancholy tree ; they feigned 
that the infant Cyparifius, much beloved by Apollo, 


1 


lavinn 

ut y 



HISTORY OF APOLLO. 


*4 3 


having accidentally killed a favourite (lag, died of 
grief, and was changed into a cyprefs by Apollo, 
who ccnfecrated this tree to funerals. 

k'O deity was more honoured than Apollo: his 
temples were innumerable both in Greece and 
Italy, and oracles were given in all of them., 
Delos attra&ed vifitors from every part of the 
globe, bv the magnificent feftrvals which were there 
celebrated in honour of this god. All the cere¬ 
monies of Ins worfhip had relation to the fun. 
whom he reprefented. The hawk and the wolr 
were confecrated to him, becaule they have a 
piercing eve; and the crow, daw and fwan, becaufr 
they were fuppofed to have the gift of fore- 
light, and were employed in auguries. 

The fable invented concerning the crow is word. 

o 

recounting. Its plumage was originally white, bur 
was changed into black by Apollo, to punifh him 
for having imprudently revealed to him the 
infidelity of Coronis. The tranfporr.s of icalouf 
are terrible, and frequently blind. Apollo do- 
Hrroyed this nymph and too late repented his rafli 
nefs. He metamorphofed her into a daw, wifiling 
by her mournful plumage, and that of the crow 
to perpetuate at once his revenge and Ids regret. 

There arc many ancient monuments reprefe::! 
ing this god, iliil extant. He is always known 
by the luminous rays round his head, his youthful 
appearance, his beauty, his lyre, and his arrow , 


1 


pcncrair. 



HISTORY OF THE MUSES. 



.* .i> 

'j>s 


* 

-T‘ 


HISTORY Or THE MUSES. 1 J.J 

<reneral]y he appears beardlefs. His names were 
almoft as numerous as the countries where he was 


worfhipped. We have already mentioned the 
principal, but we fhall conclude with that of 
Mulimetes, beeaufe it leads us to the hi dory of 
the Mules, whofe mailer and preceptor he was. 


HISTORY AXD FABLE OK THE MUSES. 


V, 


yrro and St. Augulline inform us, 
that at Sicyon three able Sculptors were employed 
at the fame time in forming the Statues of the 
Mufes. 

They were at that time only three in number, 
and it was intended to confecrate only the three 
Hatties which ihould appear moll perfect; but the 
equal talents of the artilts rendered the clecifion 
fo extremely difficult, that to preferve thefe finifhed 
performances they were all nine placed in the 
temple of Apollo. From that time the poets 
celebrated nine Mufes, and we think it by no 
means neceffiuy to examine what their real num¬ 
ber originally was. The obfeuriry upon this 
hibjcdl is the greater, as the name of Mul'agetes, 
or leader of the Mufes, is frequently given to 
Hercules, It is true that on chelc occafiuns, that 

hero 





*44 HISTORY Of THE SlUSES- 


hero appears to be confounded with the fun. jVi:\ 
Court de Gebelin has in a very ingenious manner 
endeavoured to prove that the Mules were twelve 
in number; but Hefiod and the poets reckon 
only nine daughters of Jupiter, and Mnemofvne, 
the goddefs of memory. They were virgins, and 
the fable fays, that a young man of the name 
of Adonis, having attempted to gain their affections} 
paid the forfeit of his life for his temerity. 

This fable is intended to reprefent how fruit! 
are the attempts to excel in poetry, unlefs ncrim: 
has bellowed the neceflary talents. This pre¬ 
tended death of Adonis is an allegory intended U 
deferibe a man vain of Inis underhanding, w!,o 
afpired to the charader of a poet, but left r.o 
works to furvive him. 

It is generally believed, that the name of tT 
Mufes is derived from tine Greek word A: A,.' 
fignifying to contemplate fublime iubjedts. 

They are ionnetimes called Picridcs, from tV 
following circumhance: 


The nine daughters of Picrus, king ofMaordu* 
nia, had the prefumptiori' to contend with t!,r 
Mufes in flinging; when to punifh their vaniiv 
the victorious Mules «.hanged them into mappi n 


and aflumcd the name of Piet ides, in commune 

ration of their triumph. 

'This fpecies of cliallenge of the gods was alw.a 
dangf-rous, and feldom went unnunilhed. 




HISTORY OF THE MUSKS, 


fSS 

m 

I 

I 

IS 

■ '.r 

'>Ji 
1 /' 


1 -15 


Marfy 


that the founds which he produced from his flute 
•were more harmonious than thofe which Apollo 
drew from his lyre. Judges were chofen, and the 
j'atyr being vanquifbeJ, Apollo to punifh his pre- 
fumption, flayed him alive. 

The origin of this ftory is as follows: Before 
the invention of the lyre, the principal mufical 
inftrument was the flute. Apollo by the afliftance 
of his lyre, found means to unite the harmony of 
an accompaniment, to the beauties of the voice. 


and thus procured that inftrument the preference 
to the flute. The poets have deferibed the jea- 
loufy and regret of Marfyas on this occafion, by 
faying, that he was flayed alive by Apollo. An¬ 
cient authors do not perfectly agree concerning 
the names and fymbols of the Mufesj we [bail 
give their general appellations, and the manner in 
which they arc commonly deferibed. 

i. Clio, the tirft of the Mules, takes her name 
from glory, renown. Her province was to pre¬ 
late over hiflory. She is fuppoled to be the 
i/iventrefs of the guittar, which inftrument fhe 
generally holds in her right hand, and in her left 

a Jut/nnu, fo called in Latin, inilrad of the bow 
% \ 

ulrtl in playing on that inflniment. She is like- 
wilc frequently reprefented writing; hillory. 

1 halia prefidtd over eomedv. Her name 


L 


lignifies 



ijS 


UIVIORY OF TUT, MUSES. 


lignifies the blooming. She is reprefented re¬ 
clining upon a pillar, holding a mafk in her hand, 

3. Melpomene prefided over tragedy. She is gc • 
nerally feen with her hand reding on the club of 
Hercules, becaufe the objeft of tragedy is to rep re¬ 
lent the brilliant exploits of heroes, the mod illut - 
trious of whom was Hercules. 

4. Euterpe prefided over inffrumenMl mi 1 IE 
her name fnrnifics atrrcenble. She ..!w.;vs appe.’a. 

^ ‘ v--- .11 

*! | 7 riw 1 n r J • t * ; 1 \ ; 1 f r* (•’,-»* '> ■ • i* s v '* '' ; ' \ O II f" 

>ul 1 UwUi'.iLvi \.a ti 1. ^ \ * t * \. , 1 1 . w - c-li <• 11 a L11 . 


appendages of r.udlo. 


5. Terplichjre, or the amufmg, prefided ovt, 
the dance j die has always a imilirg counccnaikp 
and v. ith cn c: foot ligh.tly touches the earth, whii;! 
the other 1 ports in the air. 

6 . Erato. Her name E c. -rived, from the Gred 
word hr os, love. She is tlie infpurr of li.rh 
ooctrv, and amorous ventrs; l\rv changeable phi- 

i * J j. 

ilognomy cannot be exprcile.l, as it varies even 
time a new 1 ■ 1 b; e h t prvlcnts itlLlE 

7. JPoivh', mnia tabes her name from the en it 

» J J V > 

vaiicty of her lonr^s3 Jiic is repreiented with a 


new of her lonys 3 Jlic is re 


lyre., as heino, t! .o inveiifre's of harmonyher yw. 
directed towards heaven lhuv, thet ihe y:\ wL > 


4 V i I ^ * 


over the ode. 


8. Urania, or the heavenly, was the invert.;'- 
o! atlronomy and the leienecs ; in her hand 
holds a globe, which fomuimes appears idr- 1 






HISTORY t-y TIil 


MUSES 


i-i7 


upon a tripod ; and then flie is fecn holding a Icale 

or a compafs in her hand. 

Calliope owes her name to the majefty of her 

ihe prefided over heroic poems. Near 


vo 1 c e 


her are fcen the trumpet of fame, crowns oflaureh 
arms, and trophies. 

The Mufes troinff one dav to Parnafllis to 

ij v 

receive the inllruftion of their preceptor Apollo, 
were compelled by a violent fhovverto take jhelter 
in the palace of Pireneus, king of Phocis, who 
williing to ir.fuk them, they aiTumed wings and 
took flight. Pireneus attempting to purfue diem, 
leaped from a tower and was dallied to pieces. 

Hiflorians inform us, that Pireneus banifhed 
from his kingdom all learned men, and Unit up the; 
uublic fchools; a brutal caprice which procured 
him univerfal contempt: and at his death none 
were found to honour his memory. Having in 

* u 

vain endeavoured to acquire reputation by his 
poetry, he thought to revenge himielf by perfe- 
cuting the fciences ; and to fix an eternal blot upon, 
his memory, the poets invented this fable. 

The Mules are frequently reprefented furround 


uig Apollo upon mount ParnaHiw, or mount 1 leli- 
con. Pegafus is like wile fcen with wings extended., 


loot forming the fountain 


'■'.iiiing lnmfdf into the a:r, anti with a blow ol his 

1 (ippocrenc, lo eele- 
oratal among the poets. We lliall re fume thi; 
hihjtd' in the fecund part of this work, when we 


reive 


L 1 



HISTORY OF THE MUSES. 




relate the hiftory of Perfeus. Among the children 
of Apollo, one of the mod diftinguifhed was Linus, 
the inventor of lyric poetry. He excelled in 
teaching the lyre; the irsoft famous of his fcholan 
were Orpheus, Thamyris and Hercules; the latter, 
more formed to combat monfters than cultivate 
the polite arts, was fo irritated at being repri¬ 
manded by his maficr Linus, that he broke hit 
lyre in pieces upon his head. Many cities ami 
countries were rendered famous by the oracles of 
Apollo; particularly Delphos, where he had , t 
moll magnificent temple. The prieftefs whom 
he infpired with an enthufiaflic phrenzy was co¬ 
vered with the Ikin of the ferpent Python, and la: 
upon a fort of table with three legs, called cortina, 
or tripod. 

That great fraud was praclifed in the an fiver: 
of thefe oracles there is no doubt; however many 
of them were certainly verified. The fathers of'die 

9 

church are unanimoufiy of opinion, that the A! 
mighty has fometimes permitted the eternal ennin 
of mankind to forefee future events; and this op 
nion receives great confirmation from the man 
inilanccs wherein the predihlions of thefe orm.li 
were undoubtedly aecomplifhed. If their anhver 
had conflantly been fallified by the event, not all 
the artifice of the priclls of Apollo could lino" 
preferved their credit fo many ages. It: mill! 
however oblervcd, lliat the anfivers mven bv ib‘ 


* 



HISTORY OF DIANA. 


149 


oracles were fo equivocal and obfcure, that they 
would admit of feveral interpretations, fo that the 
truth might fometimes concur with that which they 
had adopted. 

We /hall relume the fubjeft of oracles in the 
chapter where we treat of the Sybils. 


HISTORY OF DIANA, OR THE MOOR 


Diana was the filler of Apollo, and as 
he was called Phoebus, Hie was ftyled Phccbe; both 
had the fame attributes. We have already proved 
that among the Egyptians, Ofiris was the fymbol 
of the fun, and Ills that of the moon. To avoid, 
a repetition of thrl'e particulars, we fhall give the 
hiltory, or rather the fable of Diana, as adopted by 
the Greeks. 

Among them, Diana was honoured under three 
different characters. l'irlt, as a celeltial divinity, 
and (he was then the Moon or Phoebe; fecondly, 
as a terreftrial divinity, when Ihe was called Didea, 
or Didynna, from the name of a favourite nymph, 
the firll' inventrefs of nets; anil lallly, as goddefs 
of the infernal regions, where fhe reigned under 
the name of llecate, or Proferpine. 

It was to ex [ire Is the 1 c different qualities, that 
/he was fly led the triform goddefs. 


L 3 


The 



HISTORY OF DIA 2 CA. 


*c5° 


/I • 


auU 


The Theffalian fhepherds boafted, that the, 

J 

could bringdown the moon to the earth by the! 
enchantments. When it happened to be cclip/l;!. 
they aiTerted that it defeeuded to the earth 
became obedient to their orders. 

Diana came into the world before her brother. 

4 

and immediately (as the Fable fays) performed the 
office of midwife to her mother La tuna. 

The pains fhe faw her fuller induced her 
demand of Jupiter the gift of virginity, and p-. 
million to prefide over child-birth, both wi.i< 
were Granted. Virgins on their marriage thou.'- 

o ^ o ^ 


themfelves obliged to appeafe tliis goJJels, 
confecrated to her their girdles, which proci.'i'.d 
her the name of Lyfizone, or loole-girdle. ; b: 
was like wife called Trivia, becaufe (he prciiUffi 
over the highways. 

In Egypt there was another Liana, n 


% * 


W * . 


% ♦ 


Bubafesj (lie was Daughter to Oliris and Ji. . 
and like her mother received tlie iiirnainc of Dim.a 
Lucina was a name common to both this godik 
and Juno, Pregnant women near the time of dr ;i 
deliveiy invoked them indifferently under if. 
appellation. 


The gi cater part of her other names were dm ivi . 
from places where (he was particularly hoi,one 


Tie had 


two temples much celebrated ; that 

F plirnis, one of the feven wonders of the w- 
'? d'-ffii iv'iioti of whir It we (hall ffive in the (L- 


t 


4 



HiiTORY OF DIANA 




* 

part of this work, under the article 1 empies) was 
burnt the 6th cf June, the day Alexander the Great 

was born. 

Eroftra'.us the incendiary wilhed to render his 
name immortal by committing a crime which 

could never be forgotten. 

The lecond temple was fituated in Taurica 
Cherfonefm., now called the Crimea. It was par¬ 
ticularly famous for the human victims offered there 
to Diana. All Grangers, whether they landed by 
chance, or were driven on the coafl by florins, 
were here barbaroufly facrificed. Orcftes and 
Pylades, fo dillinguifiied for their mutual friend- 
Ihip, killed die Pontiff Thoas, carr ied off the flattie 
of the goddefs, and brought it into Italy, where it 
was called Phazelis, becaufe they had concealed it 
in a faggot of wood. 

Upon earth Diana prefided over the chace. 
Sixty nymphs, daughters of Gccauus, and twenty 
other females, had the care of her hunting efla- 
blifhment. She is reprclcnted with bufkins on 
her feet, and a quiver and bow in her hand. Her 
forehead is ornamented with a crefeent, and her 
car is drawn bv hinds. 

Diana was regarded as the goddefs of chaflity,. 
the nymphs, her attendants, were obliged to imitate 
her, and if they failed, although unintentionally* 
they were (evenly pumiked. The unfortunate 


led by j 


I * 


vertentlv 


I 



15 s 


HISTORY OF DIANA. 


vertently penetrating to a retired grotto, where 
Diana and her nymphs were bathing, was inftantlv 
metamorphofed into a Stag, and devoured by his 
own dogs. 

Califto, a nymph of Arcadia, though favourite 
of the goddefs, could not efcape her vengeance, 
Jupiter, to feduce her, had affumed the form of 
Diana herfelf; but even this excufe did not proto.' 1 
her; fire was driven from her fociety, and alxui* 
donedto thejealoufy of Juno, who metamcrpliof d 
her into a bear. Obliged to conceal herfelf in the 

O 

deepeft receffes of the foreft, lhe could not always 

efcape the purfuit of the hunter; Areas, her own 

fon, arrived at that age when fo many charms an' 

* 

found in the chafe, by accident met his mother. 
Califto difeovering in him all the features of Ju¬ 
piter, which were fill imprinted upon her mind, no 
longer thought of flying; fire anxioufiy fixed iw 
eyes on the young prince, who was preparing to 
pierce her with a dart, when Jupiter to prevent !o 
horrible a crime, metamorphofed him likewife inn> 
a bear, and tranflated them both to heaven. 

Such is the fable invented by the poets concern¬ 
ing the conftellation compoled of feven ft ary. 
which is now called the Greater Bear. 

The far called Bootes which follows it repre ■ 
feats the foil of Califto. 

Near the Ardlir pole is fen the I .offer Bear, 

known to aftronomers by the name of Cynoluia; 



HISTORY OF DIANA 


*5 


it is the guide of mariners. The ftars of which 
this is compofed reprcfent the nymphs who had 
the care of Jupiter in his infancy. 

Diana, equally proud as Juno, would buffer 
none to be compared with her. 

Dcdalion fon of the morning- flar, called Lucifer, 
was changed into a hawk from the following cir- 

•S3 ' 

cumllance. Chione his daughter, being nil'll 
enough to prefer her own beauty to that of Diana, 
was killed by an arrow from thatgoddefs. 


Dcdalion, clifconfolate for the loll ofhis daugh- 
ter, precipitated himfclf from the top of a tower, 
when Apollo, out of companion, transformed him 
into an hawk. 

There A a ltory that Diana becoming enamoured 

j ^3 

of Endymion, kinpr of Elis, every night descended 


from her e:ir to vide him upon the mountains of 
Caria. This fiction ib injurious to Diana is founded 
foleiy upon the paflionof Kndymion (or allronomy, 
and the attention which lie bellowed on the courle 
of the moon. 


This prince was fond of retiring to a grotto in 
Latinos, one of the mountains of Caria, where 
]ie frequently parted whole nights; which oecafioned 
the florv of his being vihfed bv Diana. 

v < > 

1 I is conllant application p> liudv, and his in- 

^ » *v % 

Piilcrenre to pleafmv, rauied it i i k < wife to be (aid, 
char lie had obtained from fupiur the gift of per- 
pnualf]c /, j\ d hc»«* )•, f!dl 10 be fern in mount 




i.54 


1I STORY OF DIAN'A. 


Latmos a Tort of cavern, which is yet called tra 


grotto of Endymion. 

o 


The chariot of the fun was of gold, and that of 


the moon fiiver. 


The tranquil progrefs of the latter was deicrih,-.; 
by frying, that flic filer,dy advanced amid the 
fhades of Night; who was a particular divini- 

r 

faid to be the daughter ot Chaos 


C % « „ o- r 

i )i 1L i' w : J* 


the moft ancient of ail the god Idles, to exprA, 


that darknefs exifted before light. 


O ) 

»• /** TO 

. i E i j 


re 


pre 


fen ted in a chariot of ebony, covered with a hr;;, 
black veil, and furreunded with liars. In her liar,' 
fhe holds a flambeau, which fhe appears to be h 
the aft ofextinguiffing. 


The poets attribute to her a number of 


flU] 

V. l . . . - 


dren, but they were all metaphorical, fucii at 
Pain, Fear, Love, Envy, Age, Ac. Ac. 

We fhall fpeak of all thefe divinities under an¬ 
other article j at prefent their hiflory would giv* 
too much interr:ip Son to that of the pri-wip.! 1 
tl c itic s. 

The name of Hecate was riven to Diar;,">. 

I 

this is deiivec! Irom a Greek word, whic h Jigr. 
to llriko at a diiiaaa: ; by this U-rinme was ua*arr 
the rapidity with which her my.-; [uJs from Iumv* 
to earth. 


j i 


Thefe rays, like thole of Apollo, were called 
.Arrows, and the influence of both was equally 
dreaded. 


The 



HISTORY OF DIANA. 


’55 


The names of Phoebus and Phoebe., •which 
were given to Apollo and Diana, on account 
of the light they diifuied ever the earth, had 
an origin which it will be of fervice to know ; 
they are derived from the mother of Latona, 
whole name was likewife Phoebe ignorance of 
her birth caul'ed this perfonage to be regarded 
as the offspring of the earth. 

'This primary Phoebe derived her greateft ce¬ 
lebrity from an oracle fituated at the foot of Par- 
naffus, yielded to her by her mother the Earth. 

Apollo anti Diana at first divided this Ipecies of 
inheritance, but not long after Apollo only was 
coiifultcii there. 

'1 his being the oracle of Delphos, it is necef- 
larv to be acquainted with its origin. 

Diodorus Siculus fays, that it was fir ft difeo- 
vered by means of goats feeding in the valleys of 
mount Parnaffus. 

In one of thele valleys was to be Icon a narrow 
opening ; lome goats approaching to browfe the 
herbs which grew around, experienced a fort of 
intoxication, which made them leap about in an 
extraordinary manner. The fhepherd who was 
fencing them, lurprifed at this die !, went to take 
a nearer Jurvey of this cleft, when the air wlucli 
proceeded from it occulioned him a kind of del; • 

rmm > lu: looked upon as divine inlpiraiion. 

I he report ot t his inii m*'Jc drew toncdiet* t.'a* 


* f 


nri 'lihm.-riiif*' 

* * L > 



5^6 HISTORY OF DIANA. 

a 

neighbouring inhabitants. The experiment re¬ 
peated a thoufand times conftantly produced the 
fame effed. Surprifed at a prodigy which their 
knowledge at that time did not enable them to 
account for upon natural principles, they fuppo- 
fed fome propitious divinity, or the earth itlelf, 
difpenfed oracles through this aperture, and gave 
thofe who approached it the power of predicting 


futurity. From that time this place was regarded 
as facred. A fort of fanduary was eflablifhed 
there which could not be approached without 
rich offerings to the divinity they wifhed to con- 
fult. This fanduary was in time enclofed in a 
magnificent temple, and the afflux of thoie 
who reforced here fo increafed the number of ha¬ 
bitations, that they were confiderable enough to 


*•* 

form the city ofUtdphos. 

This famous aperture was fituated about die 
middle of Parnaifus, a mountain of Phocis, on the 
fouthern defeent. 

'l'he temple and city of Delphos acquired iu :■ 
immenfe riches, that they were compared to tho.<- 
of the Ivin,vs of Paha. 

Before we conclude this work we fliall Cu..’ 
more fully the interfiling lubjed of oracles. 


JilSI OR : 



HISTORY OF BACCHUS. 



HISTORY OF BACCHUS. 


The pride and ambition of the Greeks 
Jed them to believe their own country the birth¬ 
place of all the gods and heroes. Never was a 
people more defirous of appearing illuftricus. 

The conqueffs of Bacchus had rendered 1 ns 
name too famous not to attribute to him a Gre¬ 
cian origin. However, Herodotus, Plutarch,and 
Diodorus Siculus, (who faithfully executed the 
office of hiftorians,) inform us, that he was born 
in Egypt, and brought up in Nyfa, a city of 
Arabia the Elappy, where he had been lent by his 
father Ammon. We even perceive by them, 
that the Bacchus of the Greeks was no other 
than the famous Ofiris, conqueror of India. The 
fictions of the poets, ar.j the accounts of an¬ 
cient authors, can only be: applied to this King 
Egypt. Speaking of Bacchus, they fir ft lay that 
he came to the affiance of Jupiter in his war 
again ft the giants ; ami ana-wards, that he w : . 
the Ion of Scmele, and u.randioii of Cadmm. Now 

# t • 

this la(l mentioned prince did not oxill till many 

* * 

arcs a(t'*r the above war. The fable acids, that 
Ji lechus cictlu J in the jLin of a f i -cia re/ukum! 



i 5 s 


ni story or bacC i;a 


s 


pieces ov 


the giants. 


This latter circuniRan.ce undoubtedly alludes ;•? 
the death of Ofiris, who was killed by his inhu 
rnan brother Typhon. Diodorus explains this con 
tradition by faying, that the worfhip of this divinity 


was brought from Egypt into Greece by Orphan , 
who being favourably received by Cadmus, withe i 
to exprefs his gratitude by attributing to one of 
that prince's family the hiftory and fable of the 
Egyptian Bacchus—and, indeed, the worfhip which 
was paid to this god, and that which was paid 
ro Oliris, perfectly refembled each other. 

1 'his comparifon ferves Rill more to prove 
that the Greeks were indebted to the cafrern colo¬ 
nies, not only for their divinities, but even the. 
major part of their names. 

Diodorus Siculus reckons three of the name n ( 
Bacchus; Cicero live; and the moderns arc fid 
more divided, as 


to their number and origin 


Many 


learned men are of opinion, that th 


Bacchus of the poets is no other than Moles. 


* ' I 

‘ iWV 


find jo 


a rcfcmblancc between 


them, that w c think it nmflarv r to mve thci r 

y ✓ o 

rcaihus for imagining them the lame, without pre¬ 
tending however to offer any thing politive upon 
the fubjedt. Doth are reprelentcd as having beet: 
bom hi Jfg.ypi, and expoled upon the Mile. 

' 1 !» 



HISTORY OF BACCHUS. 




Mofes, and that of Myfas 


o 


to Bacchus by Orpheus, both exp re Is that they 
were faved from the water. 

Bacchus was brought up in Arabia, on a 
mountain called Nyfa; it was in this lame coun¬ 
try that Mofes palled forty years. 

Bacchus, when cruelly perfecutcd, retired to 
the borders of the Red-Sea 5 Mofes, to dediver 
the Hebrew people from the opprdlioii of the 
Kgyptians, eroded the Reel-Sea. 

The numerous army of Bacchus, compofeu of 
men and women, palled through Arabia in their 

way to the conouefl of India. The army of the 

* * 

Jewifh legiflator, compofed of men, women, and 


children, were obliged long to wander in the 
defart, before they arrived in Paleftiac, which, 
as well as India, belongs to the continent c f A ha. 


The fable frequently reprefents Bacchus v.irh 

horns; which may be luppofed to allude to the 

two rays of light which flione on the forehead of 
Mofes. - 

Bacchus was brought upon Mount 'Vila; Mofe.- 
received tlie tables of tlie law on M 


ount Sin:?. 


By the tranfpofition of a fingle letter then 
names become exaftly alike. 


two 



s, armed with his thyifi' 1 , defeated the 


giants; Mofes fought the giants dclcendtd from 
b.noch, and a rod is the iiiflruincnt of his miracle . 
Jupiter lent Iris to order Bacchus into India io do— 

1 f; 0 ’.r 



HISTORY OF BACCHUS. 



ftroy a finful nation ; God commanded Mofes into 
Paleftine to exterminate an idolatrous nation. 

The god Pan gave Bacchus a dog to accom¬ 
pany him in his travels ; Caleb., which in the He 
brew fignifies a dog, was the faithful companion 
of Mofes. 

Bacchus, by finking the earth with his thyrlb, 
produced rivers of wane. Mofes, by finking the 
rock with his miraculous rod, caufed fountains o; 
water to gufh from it. 

This parallel agrees too perfe&ly not to indier 


us to believe, that the fable of Bacchus is a dif- 
figured tradition of the hiftory of Mofes. Again, 
there are Tonic wiio endeavour to prove, that Ra¬ 
dius is the fame as Nimrod, the fon of Chm, 
which procured him at firft the name of Bnr- 
Clius, fon of Chus, and by corruption Baccin: . 
Odiers on the contrary think, that Bacchus is tar 
fame a?. r oah, to whom iacred hillory attributes 
the firlc cultivation of the vine. 

However it be, we may conclude from theft 
companions, that die Jewiih legislator, havi:.:, 
been much celebrated in Kgypt, they have bor¬ 
rowed many of the principal features of his life m 
embcjiifh the hillory of Bacchus, or rather Ofiii , 


who appears to have been tiie real Bacchus. 

We learn from hillory, that the worfhip of tin 
divinity was introduced iuto Greece by Caunur 
Bcmele, daughter to that prince, having a lui 


lUUll'Si 



FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


161 

named Bacchus, who performed fome adfions and 
exploits in fome refpedt fimilar to thofe of the 
Kgyptian Bacchus, was afterwards confounded 
with that God, and in compliment to his grand¬ 
father, Cadmus, received the fame honours. 


FABLE OF BACCHUS, 

It is not fufficient to know the hiftori- 
cal comparifon between Mofes and Bacchus; we 
lhall give the flory of his birth as we find it in 
the Grecian poets. 

He was the fon of Jupiter and Semele, daugh¬ 
ter of Cadmus. This princefs dwelt in the city 
of Thebes. Juno becoming jealous of Semele 
affumed the form of Beroe her rival’s nurfe, and 
advifed her to rcquefi of Jupiter, that he would 
appear to her armed with his thunder, and in 
all the majefly with which he was invelted when 
he appeared to Juno. The unfufpe&ing Semele 
accordingly informed Jupiter, that five had a 
fivour to demand, and made him fwcar by the 
river Styx not to refufe her: he pronounced the 
oath, and notwithflanding the fatal confequences 

which he knew would attend it was obliged to 
comply. 

The 


M 



HISTORY OF BACCHUS. 


1.60 

ftroy a finful nation ; God commanded Mofes into 
Paleftine to exterminate an idolatrous nation. 

The god Pan gave Bacchus a dog to accom¬ 
pany him in his travels ; Caleb, which in the He - 
brew Signifies a dog, was the faithful companion 
of Mofes. 

Bacchus, by finking the earth with his thyrik, 
produced rivers of wine. Moles, by ftriking the 
rock with his miraculous rod, caufed fountains ot 
water to gufta from it. 

This parallel agrees too perfedlly not to induce 
us to believe, that the fable of Bacchus is a dif- 
figured tradition of the hiftory of Mofes. Again, 
there are fome who endeavour to prove, that B.w- 
chus is the fame as Nimrod, die foil of Chus, 
which procured him at firft the name of B: 
Chus, fon of Chus, and by corruption Bacchic. 
Others on the contrary think, that Bacchus is the 
fame a*. T oah, to whom facred hiftory attributes 
the firfc cultivation of the vine. 

However it be, we may conclude from thefc 


\ V 

a 


com pari Cons, 


jewiih legi 


Jiavir.; 

1 1 


been much celebrated in Kgypt, they have bur¬ 
rowed many of the principal features of his life in 
embdiifh the niilorv of Bacchus, or rather Ofirb, 
who appears to have been the real Bacchus. 

We learn from hiftory, that the worfhip of ini' 
divinity was introduced into Greece by Cad mi r. 
Scmele, daughter to that prince, having a lun 


nainen 



FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


l6l 

named Bacchus, who performed fome adlions and 
exploits in fome refpedt fimilar to thofe of the 
Egyptian Bacchus, was afterwards confounded 
with that God, and in compliment to his grand¬ 
father, Cadmus, received the fame honours. 


FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


It is not fufficient to know the hiflrori- 
ca 1 comparifon between Mofes and Bacchus; we 
lhall give the Rory of his birth as we find it in 
the Grecian poets. 

He was the fon of Jupiter and Semele, daugh¬ 
ter of Cadmus. This princcfs dwelt in the city 
of Thebes. Juno becoming jealous of Semele 
a (Turned the form of Beroe her rival’s nurfe, and 
advifed her to requefl: of Jupiter, that he would 
appear to her armed with his thunder, and in 
all the majefty with which he was in veiled when 
he appeared to Juno. The unfufpecfling Semele 
accordingly informed Jupiter, that fire had a 
favour to demand, and made him l'wcar by the 
river Styx not to refufehcr: he pronounced the 
oath, and notwithllanding the fatal confequences 
which he knew would attend it was obliged to 

M 



The 



FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


of it 


Ui'O- 


162 

The unhappy Semele could not fnpport ib 
glorious a fight, her palace was coni limed by t’;r 
rays of light which fiirrounded him, and fie her- 
felf periflied in the flames. 

However, Jupiter willing to fave the infant wifi, 
which fie was pregnant, enclofed it in his chiph, 
where it remained till the appointed time 
birth.—This ridiculous ftory afterwords 
cured Bacchus the furname oi Bi mater, vdiich 
fnmifies having two mothers. 

o o 

In tracing the origin of this extraordinary Awry 
concerning the birth of Bacchus, we find, tli.it 
Semele was fo icorched by the fire which con 
fumed her palace that fhe expired, but that the 
child with which fie was pregnant was preferred 
Immediately on its birth, Jupiter fent Mercur 
with it to Nyla, a city near a mountain called 
Meros, which word fignifies thigh. Tin's is the 
only foundation of the above fable. At the in- 
treaty of Mercury, the daughters of Atlas tool: 
charge of the infant Bacchus. Silcnus undcrtool. 
the care of his education, and conceived fiich an 
attachment for him, that he would never after¬ 
wards leave him, but accompanied him in all hi-: 
conque/ts. 

As we (hall refinne the hi ftory of Silenus in it ■ 
proper place, we fliall content ourfelves at pre- 
fent with obferving, that in fable he is del'cribed 


as the god of wine; becaufe lie is flip poled hrlt 



FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


163 

£0 have cultivated the vine. Bacchus, out of gra¬ 
titude to the daughters of Atlas, changed them 
into the ftars called Hyadesj from the word 
Hyie, one of his furnames. He is generally re- 
prefented under the figure of a young man with a 
ruddy frelh complexion, to exprefs the joy which 
wine infpires even in old age. In his hand he car¬ 
ries a thyrfis, which is a fort of wand furrounded 
with vine leaves and ivy: the latter plant being 
cool and refrefifing, was fuppofed to have the 
power of diipelling the fumes of wine, and pre¬ 
ventin'? it from intoxicating the brain : It is for 
this realbn that Bacchus almoft always appears 
crowned with ivy and vine branches. 

He is frequently fecn fitting in a chariot drawn 
by panthers and tygers. By tin’s equipage we mult 
underhand, that excefs of wine deprives man of 
his reafon, renders him furious and frequently 
cruel. The victims facrificed to Bacchus were 
generally either a magpie or a goat. The former 
to ihow that wine renders a man incautious in his 
converfation; and the latter becaufe the goat 
browfcs on the vine buds. 

The fcr.fis of this god were celebrated with 
great dilorder by prieftefies named Bacchantes, or 
bafiarydes, or Thyades, and frequently Menades, 
who ran up and down the mountains clad in the 
fid ns of tigers. When they invoked the god 
their hair was difiievellcd, and in their hands they 

m 2 held 




FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


held thyrles and torches. Thefe feads were called 
Bacchanalia, and Dionylia, from the furname of 
Bacchus, or Triterica, becaufe they were cele¬ 


brated every third year. They likewife pave them 


the name of Orgia, which ftgnifics fury. Durine 
another feaft, named Afchofia, they amull-d 


themlelves with jumping upon bladders filled with 


air, and thofe who fell aiTorded fport to the 


others. 


Nothing was more terrible than the vengeance 
of Bacchus, or his worfhippers, .when any pre¬ 
lumed to difturb their rites, or oppol'e lik 
divinity. 


Pentiums, fon of Echion and Agave, wirhing 
to prevent the Thebans his fubjedls from ceic • 
brating thefe feads ; the god infpired his mother 
Agave with fo blind a fury, that inviting the 
Bacchantes to follow her, flic with her own hands 
tore in pieces her unhappy fon. This dieadful 
example had no influence on the Mineides. 


One day, during the celebration of thefe feafk. 
out of contempt, they employed themlelves openlv 
in working tapcflry, but were changed into bats, 
and their work into ivy leaves by the offended dcirv, 
Lycurgus, (who mu ft not be confounded with 
the Spartan law-giver of that name,) wilhed to 


deflroy all the vines in Thrace, and began demo¬ 


unting them with a llytlie ; an unhappy drake-, 


however, happening to (all upon his leg, the pro- 




FARLF. OF BACCHUS. 


J65 


pie, who witneffed the circumftance, regarded it 
as a punilhment for the infult offered to the god of 

wine. 

Bacchus, having colleded an immenfe army, 
confiding both of men and women, fct out for the 
conqueft of India. Inftead of fpears and fhields, 
his troops were armed with drums and thyrfes. 
This riotous troop 1 pro ad univerfal eonfternation, 
but the intention of Bacchus being only to teach 
the cultivation of the vine to the conquered 
nations, he was every where received as a benig¬ 
nant deity. 

I le carried his conqueds, or rather his travels 
and feafts, into the countries fituated beyond the 
Mediterranean, as Arcadia and Syria; but he 
never penetrated into thofe immenfe provinces 
which extend as far as the Ganges, and are now 
called the Eaft-Indies. 

It was on his return from this expedition that 
he efpoufed Ariadne, daughter of Minos, king of 
Crete. 


He prefented her with a crown of gold, en¬ 
riched with diamonds, mod rurioufly executed by 
Vulcan.—This crown, after the death of Ariadne, 


was placed among the condcllations, or rather its 
name was given to an affemblage of eight liars, 
three of which arc extremely brilliant. 

Alexander the Great, in his conqued of India, 
propofed Bacchus as his model, and during fix 




i66 


FABLE OF BACCHUS. 


days his foldiers celebrated the feads of that god 
with all the excefies of intoxication. 

Among the mod celebrated monuments of 
Bacchus which remain, the mod beautiful are 
thofe which rep refent his marriage with Ariadne, 
whom the perfidious Thefeus had abandoned on 
the ifland of Naxos. Particularly there is extant 
a done of inedimable value upon which this cere¬ 
mony is engraved; it is called the feal of Michael 
Angelo, and belonged to the King of France. 
A caduceus is frequently placed near Bacchus to 
fhow that he preferred peace to war. 

Among the different names given to Bacchus 
we mud remark that of Nydtilius; he was fo 
called becaufe his orgies were celebrated in the 
night by the light of torches and flambeaus.— 
The name of Dionyfius is derived from Dios, 
God, and Nyfa the city where hew as brought up. 
He is likewife diled Evan and Hyie, fignifying 
Courage, Son; words which were frequently re¬ 
peated by Jupiter whilft Bacchus was engaged in 
combat with the giants.'—It is likewife thought 
that the name of Bacchus may be derived from 
Bacchein, to howl, on account of the cries of the 
Bacchantes. 


HISTORY 



HISTORY OF MINERVA. 



HISTORY OF MINERVA. 



y the Greeks and Romans Minerva 
was regarded as the nobleft produdion of Jupiter; 
but long before ihe was known to them, the 
Egyptians acknowledged her as a divinity. 

Of the live goddelTes of this name mentioned 
by Cicero, he fays, that the molt ancient l'prung 
from the Nile, and was held in preat veneration 
by the Egyptians. The fecund was daughter of 
Saturn and goddefs of war; the third, daughter of 
Jupiter j the fourth was of Athens, and daughter 
of Vulcan; the fifth and lad, was daughter of the 
Giant Pallas, and is called indifferently Pallas or 
Minerva. 

The Rories of thefe different sroddeffes beintr 
generally confounded together, we Ha all relate the 
principal one prelerved by Mythology. 

Jupiter, after the war with the Titans, feeing 


himfdf, with the confent of all the gods, abfolute 
lovereign of heaven and earth, elpoufed Metis, 
liippoled to be the wiled being in the univerle j 
(this name is allegorical, and we have already 
mentioned that it fignilies Providence.) Being 
informed by Ca ins that from her would fhortly 
proceed a daughter of confuminatc wildom, and 
;l Jon defiined by the bates to tlx empire of the 
v 'Oild, hr devoured her; fometime after, feelinu 


< v 
o 


3 'lread/nl pain in his head, lie applied to Vulcan, 


M 4 


who 



i68 


HISTORY OF MINERVA. 


who, with the blow 'of an axe, divided his head, 
from whence fprung Minerva completely armed, 
and already of fufRcient fixe to render Jupiter 
eflential afliftance in his war with the giants. 

The fidtion, concerning the birth of Minerva, 
has always appeared myfterious; and the infciip- 
tion on her temple at Sais, in Egypt, fill adds to 
the obfcurity it was conceived in thele terms: 


I am what is, what was, and what fhall he; 
None could ever raife the veil that covers me; 


and it you would know my works, it is I who made tliclun. 


The moft famous of the learned think this 
myfterious infeription to have been taken from the 
book of Mofeswhere Eternal Wifdom, fpeaking 


of itfelf, fays— 

I proceeded from the head of the Moft High 
before the exiftence of any thing created. 

This opinion is the more probable, as the inha¬ 
bitants of Sais were ignorant of the time when the 
worfhip of Minerva began. There is every realon 
to believe that it reached up to the laft Patriarchs. 
It had already exifted a long time when Cecrops, 
originally of Sais, quitted that city, and led a 
colony into Greece, where he foon introduced the 
manners and religion of his country. 

This Prince had a daughter whom he named 
Athene, to place her under the immediate protec¬ 
tion of Minerva. 


The great reputation of Cecrops caufecl this 


daughter 



HISTORY OF MINERVA. 169 

daughter to be afterwards confounded, with the 

o 

^oddefs whofe name hie bore. 

Minerva, Athene and Pallas, were the fame 
divinity among the Greeks. Confidcred as Mi¬ 
nerva, fire prdided over wifdom: as Athene, fhe 
was the tutelar divinity of Athens: as Pallas, fire 
prefided over war. On account of this lad func¬ 
tion, Hie was frequently confounded with Bellona; 
a different divinity, of whom we drall fpcak at the 
concludon of this article. 

The inhabitants of the ifland of Rhodes were 
much didinguiilied for the wo r fir ip they at drd 
rendered Minerva; but when they adopted the 
Sun as their principal and greated divinity, the 
veneration for Minerva declined. The Athenians, 
in hopes of procuring the particular favour of this 
goddefs, declared her the protcclrefs of their city, 
and built a magnificent temple, where fhe was 
honoured'under the name of Parthenos; that is. 


virgin. 

Phidias, the mod celebrated and ingenious fculp- 
tor of his age, adorned this temple with a datue of 
gold and ivory; which his genius rendered worthy 
of the goddefs it reprefented. 

The Athenians, to add dill more folcmnity to 
the worfhip of Minerva, celebrated in honour of 


her the magnificent feads called Athena;. 

V. > 



were inflituted by liriftlionlus, third 




Athens. Tliefe feads were afterwards called Pana- 


thenre, 



HISTORY 05 MINERVA 


J/O 


thenae; when Thefeus had united the twelve vii, 
lages of Attica to form the fingle city of Athens 


and 


thefe feafts were divided into the greater 
the lefs ; the former were celebrated every fifth 
year, the latter annually; and it was during this 
celebration that the verfes of Homer, named rhap- 
fodies, ufed to be fui 


The fable fays, that the honour of giving 
name to the city of Athens, which at firh was 
called after its founder Cecrops, produced a 
violent difpute between Neptune and Minerva. 

The twelve principal deities being chofen arbi¬ 
ters of this difference, determined that they who 
fhould produce the mo ft ufeful gift for the city 
fhould honour it with their name. 

Neptune immediately with a blow of his trident, 
produced from the earth a noble fteed, the lym- 
bol of heroic courage. Minerva produced a 
blooming olive tree, the fymbol of peace. Th- 
deities decided in favour of the latter, who gave 
her own name, Athene, to the city. 

Hiftory has preferved the explanation of this 
fable. It fays, that Cecrops, originally of Mb, 
having led an Egyptian colony into Attica, re¬ 
formed the barbarous cuftoms of the natives* 
infirudted them in agriculture, and taught them 
to plant the olive which was found very congenial 
to the foil. 

lie brought them to adopt the worfhip <>l 

Miners - a, 



HISTORY OF MIN'KRVA. 


I7i 


Minerva, to whom this tree was particularly con¬ 
ic crated, and the city then took the name of its 
tutelar divinity. Athens became famous for the 
excellence of its oils ; its commerce being by this 
means greatly increafed, rendered the cultivation 
of the olive extremely valuable, and the neceflity 
of infuring fafety to foreign velfels reformed the 
natural inclination of the Athenians to piracy. To 
deferibeand commemorate the origin of this reform, 
the fable of Neptune being furpalfed by Minerva 
was invented. 

Some hiftorians fay, on the contrary, that this 


ftory alludes to a difference which took place 
between the lailors who acknowledged Neptune as 
their divinity, and the people and fenate, who 
were under the protection of Minerva. The 
Areopagus was appointed to determine this dilpute, 
and decided that agriculture, and a rural life, were 


preferable to the profcfilon of pirates: it enafted 


wife and ialutary laws 


to inlure th.e liberty of 


commerce 3 


and to commemorate tins tiecinon, 


they pretended that Neptune had been excelled by 
Minerva, and that the twelve principal deities 
thcmfclves had given judgment in her favour. 

Arachne, a maid much celebrated for her (kill 
in works of tapellry, prefumed to (ay, that (he 
would not yield even to Minerva herfelf. She 
dilplaycd her works, and defied the gotldefs to a 
companion. Minerva enraged, tore in pieces the 

webs 



HISTORY or MINERVA. 


~ r> 

/ ~ 


allegorical 


fables 


webs of Arachne, and ftruck her with her fhuttle. 
Unable to fupport fo mortifying an affront, lire 
determined to put an end to her exiftence with 
a cord, but was changed by Minerva into a fpider. 

This fable is an allegory, intended to fhovv, that 
prefumptuous pride feldom goes unpunifhed. Yet 
it may probably have its origin from the word 
Araky which fignifies equally to fpin, and the wel 

of a fpider. We find many 
intermixed with the hiftory of Minerva; among 
them may be claffed that ofTirefias, which relate-', 

4 

that having one day fiirprifed Minerva bathing, 
he was inffantly deprived of fight, but obtained 

the <uf: of pronhecy through the interccffion ot 

S.J i 1 J '•'* 

his mother. Tire meaning of this fable is, that 
the truly wife confider of very little importance 
the ordinary events of life, and, wholly attentive to 
the dictates of wifdom, learn by preient experience 
to provide againft future evils. 

Pallas was not the only furname given to Mi¬ 
nerva; flae was called Parthenia, from being a 
virgin; Crofia, for having blue eyes; and I ritoni.i, 
from the lake Triton ; to which, according to lunr 
accounts, (lie was indebted for her origin. 


'The word Tri/o, fignifics likewife brain; and a- 


lt is to 


fiie proceeded from the brain of Jupiter, 

| • 

that probably we Ihould aferibe the name '1 ntonu. 
Sometimes flie is called Tlippia, fignifying female 
cqueftrian. 

The 



HISTORY OF MINM-RVA. 


1 7'3 


The Rails of Minerva, called Quinquatria, were 

celebrated ac Rome in the month of April. 

During their continuance, pupils were obliged 
to carry prelents to their mailers. The two¬ 
fold object of this was, to habituate them to 

fentimerits of gratitude, and to teach them, that 
no pleafure is equal to that experienced by a gene¬ 
rous heart in difcharging a duty, or conferring an 
obligation. 

Thefe prelents were called minervalia, or gifts 
offered to wifdom, in order to enhance their value, 
and to remind the mailer, that wifdom ought con- 
flantly to direft his endeavours for the inllruftion 
of youth. 

At that time no aft of liberality was performed 
without invoking the Graces; as they were llip- 
pofed to prefide over afts of kindnefs; to give, 
alone, was not fufficient. There exilled among the 
Greeks and Romans pictures, or pieces of fculp- 
ture, in which the real Graces were reprelentcd 
driving from the temple the idle, or liftitious 
Graces. We think it quite unnecehary to explain 
thefe allegories. 

Several inventions were attributed to Minerva, 
that of the polite arts, the life of oil, the art of Jpin- 
ning, and ornamental tape (try. 

thefe pretended inventions were merely alle¬ 
gorical. Arts and feiences are the real riches of 
the mind, and worthy of the patronage of wifdom. 

i Oil 



174 


HISTORY OF MINERVA. 


Oil fhows, that to acquire knowledge we mull 
frequently confecrate our nights to ftudy. 

The art of fpinning reprefents the patience and 
perfcverance neceftary in profecuting our work'., 
and by the ornaments of tapeftry we are fhovr, 
that it Ihould be our ftudy to embellifh them. 

Minerva is fliid to have proceeded from th • 
head of Jupiter, to exprefs, that wifdom is not o: 
human invention, but of divine origin. She i'. 
reprefented corning into the world armed; becauf. 
the wife fupportcd by a clear confcience, and im 
fjpotted virtue, are able to combat vice, and remain 
firm under misfortune. She is defcribed as a vir¬ 
gin, becaufe wifdom cannot unite with corruption, 
or earthly pleafure. She has no external orna¬ 
ments, and is of a ftern countenance, becaule fin- 
needs no borrowed decorations; Ihe fhines with 


equal luftre when clothed in the ruflet gown, Oi 
inverted with royal purple. Her afpeft, always 


noble, infpires equal love and refpeft, whether ur.dn 
the wrinkles of old age, or the charms and bloom 
of youth. She is frequently reprefented holding 
a diftafF, and preparing to fpin, intended to teach 
us, that weJhould avoid idlenefs, and, to all other , 
prefer thofe employments which are moll uldul. 
Bcllona prefuled over finguinary wars; it was over 
the war again ft vice that Minerva prefuled. On 
her head Ihe wears a helmet, having on the top ol 
it an owl. In one hand flic holds a lance, and in 


ot 


Lae 





BF.LLOX A. 


l 7 S 


the other the egis, (a fort of fhield, covered with 
the fkin of a ferpent flain by herfelf, and having 
in the middle a reprcfentation of the head of 
Medufa one of the Gorgons.) 

This fliiekl and armour were ufed by the god- 
defs to ftrike terror into the guilty. 

The owl perched upon the helmet was to ex- 
prefs, that vvifdom frequently delights to meditate 
in the lolemn filence and tranquillity of night. 


EELLONA. 


JLhis goddefs was by the Greeks called 
F.nyo, and yet they frequently confounded her with 
Pallas. She was daughter of Phorcis and Ceto, 
and filler of Mars. Among the ancients her nioft 
common appellation was Duellona. 

She is defcribcd by the poets as a w'arlike divi¬ 
nity, who prepared the horfes and chariot of Mars 
when he departed for battle. 

She is like wife rep refen ted with difhevelled hair,, 
holding a torch in her hand. 

Bdlona had a temple at Rome, near the Car- 


mental gate. 


It was in this temple the Innate gave audience 
to ambafladors, who, as vveli as generals returning 
from war, were not permitted ro enter the city. 

At the gate of this temple was a little pillar, 

again lT 



ijS HISTORY OF MARS AND VICTORY. 


which a ftone was thrown on a declaration 

of war. 



Bellona was clafTed among the common divi¬ 
nities; in rank ffie was equal to the god Mars. 
Her priefts were inftalled into their office by ma¬ 
king incifions in the thigh, and offering as a fieri- 
fice to the goddefs the blood which flowed from 
the wound; but this cruelty was only pretended. 
The worfhip of Bellona, though famous at Rome, 
was ft ill more fo in two confiderable cities par¬ 
ticularly conlecrated to that goddefs; both called 
Comana. 

In ancient monuments, Bellona is feen armed 
with a pike and lhield, but it is extremely difficult 
to diftinguifh her from Minerva. 


HISTORY OF MARS AMD VICTORY. 

The god Mars, whom the Greeks called 
Ares, was the Ion of Jupiter and Juno. The fable 
of his birth, which we have already given in the 
hiftory of Juno, was invented folcly by the Latin 
poets. To the Greeks, and more ancient nations 
it was entirely unknown. 

The recent invention of this fable ferves to pro\e 
that it was an allegory of the Latins, to defence the 
jealouly of Juno at feeing the manner in which 
Jupiter had produced wildom. 

Juno 



HISTORY Or MARS AND VICTORY 


/ / 


Juno entrufted the education of Mars to 
Priapus one of the Titans, or Dactyii Idtei. This 
fI-:ii{"u 1 preceptor obferving the promifing talents 
of lus young pupil, inured him to bodily exercifes 
and the ufe of arms. Pie trained him for the 


office of a great commander, and taught him that 
by acquiring glory, he might alpire to the rank of 
the moil illuftrious divinities 3 and i’oar above thofe 
inferior gods among whom, by birth, he was placed. 
It was out of gratitude, and in acknowledgement 
for the care and fuccefs of Priapus, that he received 
the tenth of the Jpoils confecrated to the god Mars. 

There were many princes of this name, and in 
the fequel aim oft every people had their Mars; but 
we ill all mention only the principal of them. 

Diodorus fays that the original Mars, to whom 
is aferibed the invention of arms, and the art of 
ranging troops in order of battle, was Belus; called 
in feripture Nimrod; and mentioned as a mighty 
hunter before the Lord. 



but afterwards employed them in reducing man¬ 
kind to fubjebtion. 


Glory and power always excite our furprife. 
Nimrod was at fir(l feared and admired, but the 
people foon perceived how capable he was of 
protecting and defending them. The execution 
ol his orders infured fuccefs, and fecured the fufety 
dial]; they faw the advantage of inverting the fu- 

N preme 



*;* 


HISTORY OF MARS AND VICTORY. 


preme power in one ; be flowed on him the crown, 
and the defcendants of thefe fame people created 
him a divinity. 

The learned Hyginus informs us, that the na:-g 

as given to this king of Babylon, becau.'e 


C \TT 


Belu 

he was the firft who hunted wild beads. 

The fecond Mars was an ancient king offAvnr, 

y> • * - • 

The third, a Thracian monarch called Odin, i (c 
became fo diflinguifhed for his power, covrc.y* 
and conquefts, that he was by this people (the n\ 
warlike in the world) fiylcd the pod of war. i A 
fame Odin w.r. frequently called 1 typerborean M.io 

The fourth god <>f that name, was he \vh< . . 
the Greeks furnamed Arcs; anti the filch, was C. • 

Mars of the Latins, liippcfcd to be the fatAr •; 
Romulus and Remus. 

The Gauls had like wife their Mars whom t'.av 
called Hefus. They lacriiiced human victims to 
him. The Scythians, with their ufual fimpliciry, 
adored the god of war under the form of a iwoni, 




and the Lcrfians, wh.cn they deified the fan.-w. 
Nimrod, gave him the name of Orion, and n • 
carded him as the god of battle. The Grec 

tD ° 

ways defirous of embellifliing the hiilory of tin a 
gods, attributed to their Mars the exploits o! . : l 
thofe we have jult mentioned. 

The celebrated iribauai calk I the A 
\r/<v: indimtal to Jc a uiiirmu'c wiiiAi a.ul 
jr’ilrn between Mar-, or ! \v aral 


i 



HISTORY OF a! \RS AND VICTORY. 


*79 


The former refufing to confent to the marriage of 


his daughter Alcippe with All irotiiiSj fon of Nep¬ 
tune, that rafli youth, liftening to the dictates 
of his paffion, had the temerity to cat ?r off. Hut 
lie could not efeape the god of war, and his life 
was the forfeit of his bold attempt. 

Neptune in defpair for the lofs of his fon cited 
Mars to appear before the judges. The graved 
Athenians being alfembled to determine this affair, 
declared Mars innocent, and acquitted him after 
the uJual manner. 

The Court of Juftice being fituated on an emi¬ 
nence, was called Areopagus, from Ares, and 
Pagos, the rock of Mars. The eda'olillnnent of 
this tribunal, fo refpefted for the equity of its de- 
cifions, according to the Arundelian marble, fhould 
be placed 1560 years before theChriftian era, under 


the reign of Cranaus. This dory received the em- 
bellifliments of poetical invention. The noble 
fimplicity of hiftory was abandoned for the brilliant 
ornaments of poetry. It was pretended that Mars 
had been pronounced innocent by the twelve 
principal deities, becaufe the judges, who amounted 
to that number, were chofen from the mod 
illudrious families of Athens. 

I lie names given to the god Mars had different 
fgnilications. Ares fignifics inpiry, and repre- 
ients the mileries attendant on war; or probably 
11:1 y ho derived from the 1 Jcbrcw word Aims, 


n ?. 


llrong 



l8o HISTORY OF MARS AND VICTORY. 

ftrong and terrible. The Latins called him Gra- 
divus, in peace, and Quirinus, in war. 

Romulus, whom the Romans regarded as the 

% 

fon of Mars, when honoured as a divinity, re- 

* 

eeived the name of Quirinus. 

When Mars was invoked to protefl the culti¬ 
vated tands from the ravages of war, he was called 
Silvefter,, and father. The Greeks, to paint him crael 
and terrible, named.him Corythaix, which fignilics 
fliakinghii helmet.. He,is generally reprefented 
in a chariot guided by Bellona; his horfes, the 
ofFspring.of Boreas' and Erynnis, were called Tenor 
and-Fear j on his breaft-plate are the figures of 
feveral monfters: The poets add, that Fury and 
Indignation fat perched upon his helmet, and that 
Fame: always. announced his approach. 

■ Mara had. feveral temples at Rome. Augultus, 

after the battle of Philippi., ere died a moil; magni¬ 
ficent one; in -honour of'him, under the name of 
Mars the Avenger. 

The prieffcs of this god were called Saliij they 
had the care of the Ancilia, or facred fhields, the 
origin of which is as follows:— 

A fliield, of a form till that, time unknown, 
being found, it was fuppofed to have fallen from 
heaven. The oracle being confuked, returned 
for anfw.er, that the empire of the world was 
deflined for that city which fliould preferve this 
Ihield. Numa Pompilius, the better to lccure it 

from 



IUSTORY OF MARS AND VICTORY. l8l 

♦ 

from lofs, had feveral made fo exaftly in imitation 
of it, that it was impoflible to diftinguifh which 

• f 

was the original. 

The form of the Anciiia was an oval, a little in¬ 
dented in one part. Their length was about two 
feet and an half. The number of the Anciiia, like 
that of the priefts called Salii, was twelve. Tullus 
Hoftilius increafed them to twenty-four. 

During the feaft of the Anciiia, which began in 
the calends of March, and lafted thirteen days, 
they were carried in proceffion, the attendants 
dancing, and finging verfes adapted to the 
occafion. 

During the continuance of thefe feafts no mi¬ 
litary enterprife, no expedition, no bufinefs of 
importance was permitted. Ancient monuments 
generally reprefent Mars under the figure of a man 
extremely robuft, armed with a helmet, a pike, 
and a fhield. He is fometimes naked, and fome- 
times wears a military drefs, and a cloak. 

Mars the Conqueror carries a trophy. 

Mars Gradivus is in the attitude of a man 
walking with large {hides. 



VICTORY 



j8o 


HISTORY Of MARS AND VICTORY". 


ftrong and terrible. The Latins called him Gru- 
divus, in peace, and Quirinus, in war. 

Romulus, whom the Romans regarded as the 


Mars 


a divinity, iv- 

✓ - 


f Qn 


When Mars was invoked to protett the 


r l': r 

V- \ • iii*' 


vated lands'from the ravages of M ar, he was c.iik ; 
Silvefter, and father. The Greeks, topainthim cr.rb 
and terrible, named him Corythaix, which fmrd A 
lhaking his helmet. He is generally reprei;; : •; 
in a chariot guided byBellona; his horlo, 
offspringof Boreas and Erynnis, were called i i; : 
and Fear ; on his brealt-plate are the fr. • ;c.. - : 
feveral monflers: The poets add, that Fur/ r. : 
Indignation fat perched upon his helmet, and Li..-.: 
Fame always announced his approach. 

Mars had feveral temples at Rome. Augulii! , 
after the battle of Philippi, eretted a moll 
ficcnc one in honour of him, under the naiuc ck 
Mars the Avenger. 

The prieffcs of this god were called Saiii; iL\ 
had the care of the Ancilia, or llicred fhiclds, me 
origin of which is as follows: 

A fliidd, of a form till that time unknown, 
being found, it was fuppofcd to have fallen from 
heaven. The oracle being confoltcd, returned 
for anfwer, that the empire of the world was 
deflined for that city which foould preferw this 
fhield. Numa Pompilius, the better to kcun'ir 


ma.-ni 



II r STORY OF MARS AMD VICTORY. 



from lofs, had feveral made fo exaftly in imitation 
of it, that it was impofiible to diftinguifh which 
was the original. 

The form of the Ancilia was an oval, a little in¬ 
dented in one part. Their length was about two 
feet and an half. The number of the Ancilia, like 
that of the priefls called Salii, was twelve. Tullus 
Hoftilius increafcd them to twenty-four. 

During die feaft of the Ancilia, which began in 
the calends of March, and lafted thirteen days, 
they were carried in proceflion, the attendants 
dancing, and finging verfes adapted to the 


occafion. 

During the continuance of thefe feafts no mi¬ 
litary enterprife, no expedition, no bufmefs of 
importance was permitted. Ancient monuments 
generally reprefent Mars under the figure of a man 
extremely robuft, armed with a helmet, a pike, 
and a fhield. He is fometimes naked, and fome- 
times wears a military tire ft, and a cloak. 

Mars the Conqueror carries a trophy. 

Mars Gradivus is in the attitude of a man 


1 J 


* J 


large ftridcs. 



VICTORY 



i8a 


VICTORY. 


VICTORY. 

Hesiod fays that viftory v/as the daugh¬ 
ter ©f Styx and the river Acheron. 

She shifted Minerva in the battle of the giants. 
This goddefs had feveral temples in Greece a:.: 
Rome, and it was in her temple the Romans placed 
the ftatue of Cybele, when brought from Pefilnus, 
The Arcadians, the moment of their arrival in 
Italy, credited a temple to the goddefs Victory; 
and the Didtator Sylla inftituted games to ln- 
honour. 

In medals and pieces of fculpture fine is feen 
flying in the. air, holding in her hand a crown, or 
a branch of palm. 

The Egyptians reprefented her under the form 

of an eagle ; a bird ever victorious. 

She fometimes carries a globe, to fhow that her 

• % 

empire extends over the whole earth. 

In naval vidtories fine is feen placed on the piov- 
of a veffel. 



HI.sTOXY OF VENUS. 



THE HISTORY AND FABLE OF VENUS. 


To adorn the imagination with the power 
and language of truth; to furprife, afi'ed, and 
ever pleafe, are the principal objects of poetry, 
when Hie abandons herfelf to what fhe calls her 
genius. She may embellifh and even exaggerate 
a common occurrence ; but this power is ufelefs 
in defcribing the excefs of the paflions; for the 
limits of truth are hers, and when Ihc attempts to 
overftep them Ihe becomes ridiculous and inef¬ 
fectual. 

The poets foon perceived the weaknefs of their 
pencil when they attempted to paint beauty. Its 
dangerous influence was felt, and their molt al¬ 
luring deferiptions were frequently eclipfed by the 
models they were intended to reprefent. To avoid 
this hazard, and difguife their inability, they created 


it a divinity, and were not deceived in their 
opinion that weak mortals would foon become 
their accomplices, and haften to ereCt altars to its 
honour. 

Venus fprings from the foam of the fca; a 


fea flic 11 


failing gently on th 




furface of the 


water is wafted by the gentle breath of zephvrs 
to the foot of Mount Cytbcr.i. Id ere the god- 


N 4 




184 HISTORY OF VENUS. 

defs lands, and as fhe walks, flowers fpring u>y\\ 
her feet. The Hours, who were charged vdm. 
her education, received her, and conducted hr;- to 
heaven. 

Her train is compofed of the Smiles, Sport;, r. ; : 
Graces. Her power and charms are heightened 
by Lhe cdlu-, a myltcrious girdle, producin'; 
every pafiion at the appearance of the ohjefi v. 0., 
wears it. SuJi was the Venus of the poets v it- 
fhe appeared before the gods; but let us leave r 
poets the tafk of embellifhing their picture;, s.J 
content ourfclves with knowing what mytl.oiu 
informs us concerning the 01 it*in of Venus. 

o u 

Hefiod fly's that fhe was produced from <h 
foam of the lea, and the blood v.diich flowed from 
Codes, when wounded by his fun Saturn. 

From this ftngular compound proceeded iw 
jnofl beautiful of the goddejies • fne fir ft appi a:V 
at Cytitera, and from thence palled into Cypni:. 
Alinofl all the poets have hollowed the tradition V 
1 feliotl. However Homer, who was ccjiiallv 
ancient, and much more celebrated, fays Hie \.... 
the daughter of Jupiter and Dione 4 . 

Cicero reckons four of the name of Vemi 
The iirfl, daughter of CoL.hr, and Tux, or ike 


Light.—The lecond, Iprung from 


the foam 


the fea, was mother of Cupid.—The thC 
daughter of Jupiter and Dione, was wife to \ d 



HISTORY CF waxes. 


185 


ran, an-.l mother of Anteros 


The fourth and laft 


3 


v.as Aftarto, wile of Adonis, born in Phoenicia. 

paulanias mentions three : one cclcfli ll, who 
•"irfilled over chaile aU'eclion ; another terrelfrial 
v. lio prrfidcd over man !.;"«■ 5 and a third, called 
Averlativa, wlio bar.idwd ail criminal defTes. 

h was the difference of opinion amor.:; the 
ancient poets concerning Venus. 

Amonfr the moderns, th.e iliufnious Sir Thar 


S ■ 1 c 


o 


Newton feems to reckon only one Venus, whom 
he calls Calycopis ; and fays flic was daughter oi 
Q'treus, king of Phrygia , that Ihe married T'hoas 
ltirnaincd Cinyras, and was mother of /Eneas. 
Tiioas railed altars to her at Paphos, in Amathus, 
in the ifie of Cyprus, and. at Byblos—lie infiituted 
feaftsto her honour which were called orgies ; and 
committed the care of her worlhip to a college of 
pricks which he founded. 

It is upon tire authority of Tacitus, Evhcmerus, 
and I.actantius, that the illuflnous Newton founds 
his opinion concerning the origin oi Venus. 

We can give no clear information concerning; 
this goddefs, either from fabulous hiftory or tiie 
accounts of the poets ; becaule we find in them a 
perpetual mixture ol natural philolophy, mora¬ 
lity, and hiflory. Frequently (he is confulered as 
1 gnddels, fomerimes as a planet; but her name 
n general lcrves only to deferibe 1 he pallions. 

That there have been many of the name of 

Venus 


H 


o 



i86 


HISTORY OF VENUS. 


Venus appears certain; but fine was' originally of 
Phoenicia. This eaftern nation adored Venus 
Urania, or the heavenly, that is to fay the planet 
of that name; and in the courfe of time her 
. worfhip became confounded with that of Aftarte, 
wife of Adonis. 

When the Phoenicians led their colonies into 
the illes of the Mediterranean, they firft Hopped at 
the illand of Cjprus, which lay neareft to dv 
coaft of Syria. From thence they proceeded to 
Cythcra, an ifland not far from the Continent of 
Greece. Here they introduced their commerce 
and religion among the inhabitants, whofe pafilon 
for the marvellous led them to report that it was 
among them Venus firft appeared. 

They gave her the name of Aphrodite, Foam, 
to exprefs that fhe arrived by fea. 

The Temple of Cythera was one of the moil 
ancient Venus po fie fifed in Greece. 

The hiftories of Aftarte and Venus were foon 


confounded by the Greeks. The uncertainty of 
historical fads, the impofiibility of arranging them 
with order, left the poets no other guide than their 
imagination ; they confulted only their own pal- 
lions, or thole of the princes or great character? 

they wifhed to (latter. 

* 

From thence it was that the nrofl alluring pic¬ 
tures, and frequently the moft fcar.dalous advert- 






HISTORY OF VF.N'US. 



turcs, furnifhed them with materials for the hiftory 
of their Venus. 


Painting and fculpture, 


fillers 


cf poetry, 

thought themfelves entitled to imitate her extra¬ 
vagancies. Venus was reprefented as the goddefs 
of Pleafure. Cupid, or Love, was faid to be her 
ion, and all the finifhed productions of the poets 
and artifts were thus realized into divinities. Yet 


however bad the idea they entertained of tins 
divinity, fire was regarded as one of the moft pow¬ 
erful, becaufe fire prefided over the paffior.s. Her 
temples were found every where.—Thole of 
Paphos, Gnidus, Amathus, Cythera, and Id alia, 
were the moft remarkable for their beauty ; but 
the moft prophaned by licentioufnefs and diibrder. 
The worfhip of Venus was extremely various; in 
forne places they only burnt incenfe upon her 
altars; in others they facrificed a whim goat. 
Women ufed to confccrate their hair to this 
goddefs. 

Queen Berenice, wifhing to obtain fuccefs for 
her hufband in his war againft Seleucus, devoted 
her hair to this goddefs, and fufpended it in her 
temple: it difappeared, and the foothfayers being 
confulted, to flatter the queen, faid, that the hair 

had been changed into a liar, and trunflated to 
heaven. 


This fable procured a flar which had been newly 
difeovered, the name of Berenice’s lock. 


The 



i88 


HISTOP.Y Of VIS' -c. 


It 


The hiftcriesof Aftarte and Vt-nus be ino-cry. 
bunded together, :-;ave rife to the fable of Adorn-, 

C. J y ^ J 

and 


king of Cyprus, 


He was fon of Cinyras, 

Mvrrha—This nymph was metamorphofed inn 

the tree of the lame name, before die birth of 

her fon Adonis. When the time of her deli vert 

♦ 

arrived., the tree opened, and Adonis was received 
and brought up by the Naides. Educated in rue 
woods, the chafe became his g re ate ft plcalhn-; 
Venus tiled to accompany him, and trembled when 

him, left he ihould A 

Mars, jealous of 


rorcc 


- ] 
^ vl 


to na; t lr.vm 

X 


•r iinr'l-i } 


wounuo.; by feme wild bead, 
the acccn*ton paid by Venus to this handfome 
youth, excited again# him an enormous bo.tr, 
the animal made forioufiy towards Adonis, who 
wounded him with a javelin, but not tnoi rally, 

w - 

he A ill retained lb cog;.': enough to tear him with 
Ins tuffs. Vc:;:a came to hi:; aH;fiance, but too 
kite ; lie was dead. Ddconiolatc for his lofs, (he 
metamori'holed him into an anemone, and obtain: d 
of Prof rpine, that he fiioult! pals fix months in 
the infernal regions, and fix months on earth. 
Temnlcs were raifed to this favourite of Venus, 

-4 

That in theifieof Cyprus, which was the mof 
magnificent, contained the famous necklace m 
Eanphiie, wife of Am[ hi.uvui.s piven her by i\i 
uica s, Ion of (Ebipuk, to betray in r huibaiul. 
llilu-ry Am:; an explanation of Inc (lory o! 

ft U y., that this votmp; prince :*n 


A ’ 


;L 010 ., 


\ \ \ 




HISTORY OF YEN'US. 


1 of? 


vcrned part of Phoenicia, and to conlummate 
beauty of perfon, added mo ft amiable qualities ot 

mind. 

He married the ilaughterof the king ofByblos, 
and at his death fucceeded to that prince’s throne. 
One day hunting in the forefts of mount Libanus", 
iie was dangej'oufly wounded by a wild boar. The 
queen, thinking the wound mortal, delivered her- 


fe 1 f up to inch excefiive grief that his fubje&s 
thought him dead ; and the mourning was general 
throughout Phoenicia. He however recovered, 

w 

and in the transports of public joy, they deferibed 
the danger he had efcaped, by faying he was 
returned from the infernal regions. 

This fkble actmired the Greater credit, as Ado- 
nis afterwards reprefented the Sun; and queen 
Aftarte the Moon. Bv laving that he paired fix 


months on earth, and fix in the infernal regions 




it was intended to dclcribe the divifion of time into 
days and nights. 

We fhall not attempt to relate all the fables of 
the poets concerning Venus ; they are innumer¬ 
able ; and we have already laid they are a mix¬ 
ture of hiftory, morality, and natural philofophy. 
Every poet had the right of creating them at 
plcafure ; thole which pofficlled genius will be 
tranlmitted to the late IE polleriry whilft thole 
v* hich jioHcfilel only mediocrity funk into oblivion. 
Eniongd the mofl celebrated, b. rhat of the mar- 



iy<3 HISTORY OF VENUS. 

riage of Venus with Vulcan, the moft deformed 
of all the gods. This fable fignifies that beautv 

V 

extends her empire even over thofe on whom 
nature has bellowed no talents for pleafing. Vul¬ 
can releafing Juno from the fetters which he him- 
iclf had forged by the command of Jupiter, let¬ 
ting a price upon this fervice, and becoming 
the hufband of Venus, is an image of thofe un¬ 
equal unions in which the gifts of fortune arc 
thought to compenfate for thofe of nature. In 
the fable of Mars, we fee the terrible god of war 
crowned by Vidtory, regardlefs of his bloody tro¬ 
phies, come to depofit his laurels at the feet of 
Beauty. The genius of painting thought himfcif 
obliged to pay her his tribute ; he guides the hand 
of Apelles, and that fkilful artift immortalizes ids 
name by animating the canvas, upon which Venus 
appears in all her charms. The air of chagrin 
and jealoufy in the countenance of Juno is tin' 
greateft homage fine can pay to the beauty of her 
rival.—Near her is feen Pallas in a Hate of aide- 
nilhment. Pier lips, which appear almofl moving, 
fhow that fine has juft been fpeaking, and tine 
fpedlator, feduced by the fkill of the painter, 
thinks he hears her with regret confirm the judg¬ 
ment of Paris, when he gave Venus the apple 
thrown by the goddefs Difcord, with this in- 
fcription, 

“To the moll beautiful,” 

Jr. 



HISTORY OF VENUS, 191 

It would be impoffible to recount all the different 
methods of reprelenting this goddefs. The works 
of painting and fculpture varied almoff as much as 
the poetical fidtions. 

When lhe holds a globe in her hand Hie repre- 
fcnts the celeftial Venus, or the planet of that 
name. The flattie by the celebrated Scopas, 
reprefents her mounted on a car, drawn by a fea 
goat; Nereids and Dolphins, carrying Cupids, ap¬ 
pear fwimming round her. She is frequently 
painted borne on a fea fhell, fporting on the 
waves of the ocean ; her head is covered with a 
veil, floating in the breath of zephyrs. Love 
fwims by her fide ; tritons furround her; and at 
her feet is an oar, emblematical of her origin; 
fometimes a horn of plenty is placed there, to 
exprefs the riches produced by commerce with 
diftant nations. 

When Venus traverfes the heavens or the earth, 
her car is drawn by doves or fwaos. She is ac¬ 
companied by Love, and followed by the Graces. 
The moft perfect, and the moft beautiful of her 
ftatues, is that called Venus de Medicis, which 
is attributed to the celebrated Phidias. There is 
a very Angular reprefentation of her, where Ihe 
appears crowned with ears of corn, holding in 
one hand a thyrfls furrounded- with grapes and 
vine leaves, and in the other, three arrows. 

By this we are to underftand, that her finite arc 



HISTORY OF VENUS. 


nyz 

more fure when affifted by wine and the plealures 
of the table. She is accompanied by two Cuni,!:;. 

A drawing by Beget, reprefents tills goddei. 
upon a car, drawn by two lions; a veil dorm 
over her head, and her left hand is armed wii' 
an arrow; Cupid, hovering over her, places a 
crown upon her head ; laurels and myrtles far- 
round her on every fide ; a man walks bei 
holding a lyre, which he hems to touch : tv;.-; 

u * 

others attend with torches ; and the procefiion b 
clofed by a fatyr olavin r imon the flute. 

J J 4 - •. S 1 


J !,;s 


pifh’.re rcpreicnts Venus triumphant. 

The (lory of the leap of Leucas is too ner. 
'-onneded witii that ot Venus to be palled over :r 


mence. 


There was in Leucadia, near Nyfopolis, a IT. 
eminence, from which eii Icon folate lovers tl•. 
thunfeives as a remedy for their hope ids paf.f ... 
Nets ingenioufly fipread prevented tin ir reccivi.r 
any injury from their fall, and the inventors <•. 

* +J * 

this impollure were rewarded with ricii prefect.-. 

Phocas was the firfl v. ho took tins tiannuioi/ 

1 

leap. i lowever, repeated experience appur / 
brought this ridiculous cuflom into ciiurptitr; 

** ■ I 

the nets were no longer continued ; but tin 


‘ t 


I 1 


montory of Leucas dill remained famous.; and i’r 

♦ 

unhaijpy Sappho (to whom tin* (dree; 


*> ' * 
i\. :> .'nu 


name ol the Tenth Mule) again revised its i 
biicy. in dcfpair at the inl'cnjibilitv of l’h. 



HISTORY AND FABLF. OF VT.NUS. 


J 93 


4 

fhe ran to the promontory, plunged into the fea, 
and there perifhed. 

The river Selinus, near Patara, v. as fup- 
pofcd to have the property of extinguishing the 
flames of love bv bathing ui its waters. 

The role was particularly conlecrated to Venus, 
as the mofl beautiful of flowers. 

The fable adds, that its colour was originally 
white; but being flightly tinctured with the blood 
of Adonis, who had been pricked by a thorn, it 
became red. The myrtle was dedicated to her* 
bccauie it is generally found on the feafhore; 

from the 

The fable like wife informs us of the 
rcafon why doves were firlt conlecrated to her. 

Cupid and Venus being together in ,2 place 


and this goddefs originally l'prun 


cr 


waves. 


* 

abounding in flowers; Cupid boafted that he 
could oafher more than his mother. Venus ac- 
cepted the challenge; but Cupid making life of 
his wings to fly from flower to flower, would fooa 
have carried off the victory, had not the nymph 
Periftera come to the afiitlance of Venus. Cupid 
picqued at this defeat, changed the nymph into a 
dove. This fable is founded on the ambiguity of 
the Greek word pcrijlera , which fignifies a dove. 


The furnames of Venus were as various 


the 


(lories concerning her, and the places where file 
was vvorflnpped. She was called Urania, or Coo¬ 
led a, where flic was confounded with the planet of 

O her 



t 9 4 


fABLE OF LOVE, OR CUPID. 


ftername; and Aphrodite, becaufe fhe proceeded 
from the froth of the fea. 

The Romans named her Murtia, from t 1 /. 
myrtle; the Affyrians, Aftarte;the Perfians, Anaitk, 
they likewife gave her the names of mother, 
viftorious, and friend, bccaufe die p re fide d ovc: 
the union of hearts, &c. 


FABLE OF LOVE, OR CUPID. 


L 


only in the imagination of the poets 


Cicrn 


reckoned three Cupids, becaufe he admitted birr 

of the name ot Venus, Hefiod mentions only or.;, 

# 

fon of Nox and Aether,—coeval with Chaos anr 
Terra; by this allegorical perfonage, lie willies:-: 
reprefent the moment when the earth was peogid 
bv men and animals. 

M 

The poets deferibe him as fon to die go.! d 
riches and the goddefsof poverty, to exprels tin.r 
no condition is exempt from the power oflovc. 
Without entering into all the genealogies in 


vented by the poets, we diail content ouiklvo 
with obierving, that by iove they wilbed to d 
underltood, the phyhcal principle which ferval to 
conned: together the icatiered parts of mailer 
wiien Chaos was reduced to order. 

f l his general idea was not luflkicnt for die poets 


to 



RKPRF.Sr.NTATION' OF CUPID. 


*95 


to cmbellifh their defcriptions ; they firft diftin- 

■ 

guilhed two Cupidsj one, Ton of Venus Urania, 
pi-elided over legitimate union; the other called 
Antcros, was ion of Mars and Venus, and pre- 
fided over the pallions. They were afterwards 
incrcafed to a prodigious number; but their diffe¬ 
rent llories belong rather to poetry than mytho¬ 
logy. Their worfhip, temples, and altars, were 
confounded with thole of Venus. 


OBSERVATIONS UPON THE MANNER OF 


REPRESEN 1 INC CUPID. 


W” e Hi all not attempt to defcribe the 
different methods of representing Cupid. The 
Mules, the Graces, the Arts ofevery age have made 
him the fubject of their molt animated pleafmg 
performances: to relate the whole of them cannot' 
pollibly be expected. We beg leave to prefent 
only one of the many Hnifhcd productions upon 
this fubjeft. The fight of thofe flatties, pictures, 
and drawings, which have eleaped the ravages of 
time, at firfl inclines us to believe that art can 
extend no farther, and that they are to be looked 
upon as the flandards of perfection; but who has 
die right of preferibing limits to genius? Why 
Iliould the moderns yi< Id to tire ancients an ho- 
notir they themlelvcs can attain? A faithful imi- 


o o 


union 



REPRESENTATION OF CUriD. 


igo 


tation of nature, is the only rule prefcribed by the 
god of genius, and tafle.—Kow often have we feen 
the meft learned and experienced artifts deceived, 
notwithftanding their prejudice in favour of an¬ 
tiquity ? Mediocrity alone is terrified at the liglit 
of difficulties and great models. 


Apelles when he painted Venus receiving the 
Apple deftined to the moil beautiful, wifhed te 
oblige everv eye to yield to the judgment of Parr-; 

O * • • J «• O ’ 

He affembled all the beauties of Greece; but d'.i! 
not imitate the ffiepherd of Mount Ida. Obedit-;,: 
to the rules of his art, he did not fuffer himfclf tv 
be dazzled j one fingle beauty alone had nottk 
power to engage his whole attention. It was Ly 
borrowing from each their mod: perfect feature 
that he formed his Venus. 

Scarce had he finiffied this mafler-piecc, wire-, 
the multitude of beauties, furprifed and confounded 


at the light oi the godded., profitrated themfclve; 
before her, and Icemed now to be only nymphs in 
her train. 

We may be allowed to imitate Apelles, and 
think ourfelves authoriled from this circumftanee 
to mention a modern Chef d’ ceuvrc whole tit!': 
and add refs is as follows, 

u Birth and triumph cf Cuj id,from pipers cut by Led) 

Dafj’zvood, in the cdleclitn cf her Majefly. 


W 


a 


m-.niCATi-n to tiie oukick. 


»> 



VSVCHE. 


1 97 


This charming work confifts of fix and twenty 
engravings, in which are united all the beauties of 
true genius, fenfe, grace, and propriety. In fur- 
veying them, we imagine we fee the drawings of 
Albano, or the gardens of Alcina, and Armida, 
as defcribed by Talfo and Ariofto. It may be 
thought that the title above mentioned does 
not fufficiently difcover the real author of this 
finifhed performance; but we muft refpedt the 
veil which the glory even of having produced it 
has never dared to raife. 

When Rome and Athens were in the height of 

o 

their glory, it would have been more eafy to have 
imagined it fallen from heaven than to attribute this 
filence to modefty alone. This work, worthy of 
Apollo, would have been placed in his temple, 
and even procured adoration, but the times of 
fiftion are patted j the god no longer has altars, yet 
the temple of tafte is eternal, and there it will 
remain as a model for future ages. 


PSYCHE. 

I he fable of Pfychc has not the leaf! con¬ 
nexion with hiftory. It is fimply an allegory, 
figurative of the foul. Her marriage with Cupid 
procures her the rank and attributes of an 

immortal. 

0 > 


This 




THE GRACES. 


This union was intended to reprelent the cmj ne 
of the pafiions over the foul. 

The amiable and celebrated la Fontaine has 
adorned this fable with all the charms of his gening 
and at the fame time has preferved that finiplicity 
of ftyle, and that moral inftruction, which cha- 

rafteiife all his produ&ions. 

It is ncceflary to read him; for to abridge la Fon¬ 
taine would be as improper as to feparatc 


Fatties of the Graces. 

The ancients reprefented Pfyche with the 
of a butterfly; and in the Greek language 
fignifles eciuallv foul and butterfly. 


wuif- 




rr; v 
/» 


THE GRACES. 


Or aii the imaginary divinities of the 
ancients, the mod agreeable were undoubted!/ 
the Gracesi fince it was to them the others \\C' S 
indebted for all their charms. To places, pc 


i Has 


and performances, to every thing they gave th.-.t 
finifhing touch which embellifhes even perfectio!' 
They alone difpenfed the general gift of ph aiinp 
Each art and lcience had its prefiding deity ; hr; 
every art and fcience acknowledged the empin' 
of the Graces. Their power, fuperior to that c: 

4 

beauty, added frefh charms to finding youth, »}*< 


3 


v ■; 



THE CRACES. 



was felt and admired even under the features of 


old age. 

The ancients were by no means unanimous con¬ 
cerning their origin; fome faid they were the 
daughters of Jupiter and Juno; others, of Jupiter 
and Eurynome; but the moll general opinion 

was, that they were daughters of Venus and 

% 

Bacchus. 

The number of the Graces is very uncertain. 
The Athenians and Lacedemonians reckoned only 
two ; Hefiod and the other poets, three; whom 
they called Aglaia, Thalia, and Euphrofyne. 

Homer gives the name of Pafithea to one of the 
Graces; and in Greece, and feveral other countries, 
they were frequently reckoned four in number; 
but they then reprefented the hours, and ft ill more 
frequently the four fcafons. 

To diftinguifh them, they were reprefented 
crowned with ears of corn, bowers, grapes, and 
olive branches; or fome other green foliage. 

There exift antique flatues of Apollo, holding 
in their hands four little graces. Some authors 
added Perfuafion to their number, to fhow that to 


pleale is the lurcfl method of pu fuadinrr. 

Originally the Graces were reprefented by unhewn 
ftones,; which were intended to fhow tli.it the moll 
Imiple objects received charms from them. They 
were afterwards deferibed as young virgin: , naked, 
or lightly covered with gauze, to exgrrls that 


o 4. 


beaut: 


> 



200 


THE GRACES. 


beauty mud be the gift of nature, that nothin? 
can fupply it when wanting, and that it ought to 
be cautious and moderate in the ufe of borrowed 

ornaments. 

At Elis were to be feen the three flatties of the 
Graces. The fird held a role, the fecond a myrtle, 
and the third a die: the myrtle and the role, 
becaufe they were confecrated to "Venus; aid 
the die, becaufe youth is fond of amuii.ii'int, 
Statues of fatyrs were frequently met wit It oi :• 
mod: hideous appearance. Thefe flatues wen’ 
hollow, and contained within them images or in* 
Graces, (a lefibn equally mild as indrudive, n 
teach us, that the advantages of beauty alone a:e 

not diffident.) 

The amiable qualities of the foul, and the charm: 
of the mind, are not perceived at the fird glance; 
tinhappy is he who knows not how to leek for 
difeover them. 

The figure of Efop was frequently the objrcl 
of ridicule; but the wife ol all ages will do jufuce 


S ♦ 


to the beauty of his genius. 

It may eafily be imagined that the Graces lui 

numbcrlefs altars. 

Eteocles, king of Orchomenus, is laid to have 
edablifhed their worfiiip, and to ha^e erected the 


fird temple to their honour. 

In the cotirfe of time, this circumdance cauled 

him to be regarded as the father of them. Jdow- 

c v i 



i'Ql 


nih c rac r . 


ever the I .acedemonians difputed him the honour 
of having fir It invoked them, and attributed it to 

o 

] .acedemon, their fourth king. The towns of 
Perinthe, Byzantium, Delphos, and fevcral others, 
both of Greece and Thrace, railed temples to them. 
All thole which were confecrated to the trod of 

o 

love were decorated with their figures. They 
had a place in the temple of Mercury, to fhow, 
that the god of eloquence cannot difpenfe with 
their aiTdtance. 

They were alfo found in thofe of the Mufes : 

when thefe were invoked, the Graces were never 
forgotten. 


Pindar, and all the celebrated poets, implored 


Mufes 


they were infeparable. Every fcafon of the year 
feads were celebrated to their honour } but to 
them as to Venus Jpring was more particularly 
conlcciated. blowers were iuppoled to convey a 
ftriking idea of them. 'I hey had monuments 


throughout every part of Greece 


At Smyrna 


his made one of gold. 


was a piclure of them by Apelles. The wife 
Socrates formed their 11 at tie in marble; and Btipa- 

They were generally 
thought the dilpenfers of a graceful appearance, 

(w nnels of temper, chearfulnels, eloquence, and 
wildom. But the principal and noblelt of their 
aruibutes, was that of prefiding over acts of 
f iendflu’p and gratitude. 


The 



£02 


THE GRACES. 


The Athenians having received affiftance from 
the inhabitants of Cherfonefus in a cafe of immi¬ 
nent danger, raifed an altar with this infcription: 


LC, 


I'o lint Grace which prefides over gratitude." 


The difeerning Athenians clearly perceived tha; 
gratitude can onlv be regarded as a burthen bv tire 
ungrateful; but at the fame time they ddbribed 
thefe goddeffes as quick and lively, to denote that 
a favour fhould never be waited for; it was a 
favourite faying among them, that a kindred 
which comes too flow was no longer inch. All 
the attributes and furnames of thefe goddefd weir 


allegorical. They were called charites, joy, to f; - - 
nify that he who gives, and he who receives, or,, lit 
both to experience equal pleafure. They \\< rc 
defended always young, to inow that the remeai 

</ m ' 

trance of a favour fnould never be forrntten 


As virgins, becaufo the intention of him who con- 
fers a favour ought always to be pure. 


9 \ % * 

1 u 


were endowed with prudence., which made .Sir;irrs 
Jav, the Giaccs were virions and not. mu:• r a.hi.s 


> .. ,i 

i . i. * i 


In their dances they were rc pic fented hand in 
to teach us that men ihouki unite [)•/ mored a 

t/ 

cl fricndfhip. ],a(lly, tihcle dances vc:..w y 
performed in a ciicle, to fipumy tiur real yrmi. : 
always endeavours to return to the i’ouu e 
bcneiiu it has received. 



HISTORY OF VULCAN 



HISTORY AND FABLE OF VULCAN. 


It appears that we mwft diftinguifn three 
of the name of Vulcan. The Hr ft was Tulv.ilcain, 
mentioned by Moles, who places him in the tenth 
generation of the delcendants of Cain. This was, 
without doubt, the fir It inventor of the art of 
forging metals. The fecond was one of the fir ft 


Egyptian monarchs, or rather, their fir ft divi¬ 


nity. 


The filence they 


obferve concerning his 


origin, leads us to believe that to find it we mult 
return to Tubalcain. 

I he third Vulcan (whole hiftory the Greeks 
have compiled from the preceding two, with fomc 
additions of their own) was a Titan prince, Ion of 
Jupiter, obliged by diigrace to take refuge in the 
ifland of Lemnos, where he eftablifhed forces 
We flrall give the account of him as tranfmitted 
to us by the Greeks, l ie was the fbn of Jupiter 
and Juno, of a premature birth, and much de¬ 
formed. Jupiter, to rccompenfc him fftr having, 
during the war of the giants, provided him with 
thunder, and for having forged fetters to punilh 
Juno, confented to his marriage with Venus, the 
moft beautiful of the goddefTcs. I le wa 'iirnamed 
Mulcibcr, and 1 ardipes, from being lame. After 

his 



"04 


HISTORY OF 


his retreat, or banifhment, to the ifle of Lernr.cn, 
he was called Lemnius. It is to him that fabulous 
hiftory attributes the molt famous works which 
it makes mention of; particularly the palace of 
the fun; the arms of Achilles and A£neas, the neck¬ 
lace of Hermione, the crown of Ariadne, and the 
brazen dog which he animated. Jupiter prefente.i 
this dog to Europa; Europa gave it to Proem, 
and its greateft value in her eves arofe from be hr 


.Jus. 


able to bellow it on her beloved Cepha 
was at lap by Jupiter metamorphofed into j 
Hone. We may perceive on reading this Lbk. 
that the dog of Vulcan was imitated by fomc art ills 
■who made it of Pone inftead of biafs. 

Jupiter finding Vulcan too crooked and defonvd 
to permit him to remain in heaven, with his foot 
precipitated him into the illand of Lemnos, f.tu- 
ated near thofe calieil Liparis, which were originally 
called Vulcanian, and afterwards Eolian. Tkie 


ifland 


abounding in v 


oleanos, which vomited iorrh 
torrents of burning lava, were looked upon as tlv 
forties of Vulcan. The fame opinion was eurr 

w 1 

taint'd of mount /Etna, in Sicily. 

Mitlory reprefonts tiir Grecian Wilcan, one ot 
the Titan princes, as very expert in the .in nf 

1 y y i 

forging iron am 1 other metais. 

Vi re, which hr had io ingcuinufly employer!, 
was cnnlrcratcd to him, and. frequently went under 
his name. The uulity of thib ate wad id cleady 



HISTORY OF YU LCAX. 


205 


perceived, that the inventor of it was thought 

worthy of divine honours. 

The {lory fays, that Vulcan was aflifted in his 
labours by the Cyclops; after Polyphemus their 
fiichrr, his Jons Brontes, Scciopcs and Pyracmon, 
are mentioned as the moft celebrated. 

Polyphemus was Ion of Meptunc, and a daughter 
of the giant Tityus, called Europa, like the daugh¬ 
ter of Cadmus carried 01T by Jupiter. Galatea, 
a fca nymph, daugliter of Mere us and Doris, was 
fo unfortunate as to pleale him. In hopes of gain¬ 
ed: ions he raifed a temple to her honour; 


mg her af 


but diCovering that the preferred Acis, he crufiled 
his rival under a rock, which he hurled at him. 
The afflicted Galatea unable to reflore him to life, 
metamorphofed him into a river, which flows in 
Sicily, and ftill retains die name of Acis. 

The Cyclops appear to have been the fir ft inha¬ 
bitants of Sicily. Ignorance of their origin occa- 
honed tlitun to be regarded as the fans of Heaven 
and hearth. It is probable they hill e'lablifhed 
thcmlclves at the loot of' mount /Etna, which 
from the Haines it fends fort!:, was fappofed to be 
da' forge of Vulcan; and its dreadful roaring was 
compared to the reiterated ilrohes of the Cyclops 
upon clicir anvils. 

I hey are dcfcribrJ as Juvmn one eve in the 
nnddleof the forehead , thi-., mav orohaldv mran 

1 4 

that they wore malk: to defnd tC uiEE e; thorn 


f 


r i 


» 



HISTORY OF VULCAN. 


i? 


ce6 


the fire, in which was a fingle opening for 
purpoie of feeing their work. 

Vulcan had fcveral children; but tire moll ill] 
tinguifhed was Erifthcnius, or Eribtheus, fourth 
king of Athens ; born it was faid without a mother, 
or fon of the earth. Having crooked or dilloru'ii 
limbs, to conceal his misfortune he invent^] 
chariots and carriages with four horfes a-btva!l. 
After his death he was feigned to have been tranf- 

a 1 




lated to heaven, and appointed to direct die con 
ftellation called Charles’s Wain. 

The deformity of his limbs gave occafion like 
wife to the Rory, that his lower parts rclcmhV.l 
thole of a ferpent. The feahs celebrated in 
honour of Vulcan were called Lampadaphnu 1 ■; 
fignifying to carry flambeaus. Thole who con¬ 
tended in the race at thefe games ran to the cm. <>: 
tire courfe with a lighted torch in their hands; 
they happened to extinguilh it they were d* i\< •' 
from the amphitheatre, and he who firft tmuiini 
the goal with his torch lighted gained the prim. 1;: 


I ‘ 
i ! * 


ancient monuments Vulcan always appears win 
hair and beard difeompofed, a coat reaching a 
to his knee, a round cap pointed at the toy, .1 
hammer m his right hand, and the pinceis in li¬ 
lt ft. 

The Romans, in their molt lldemn treatin'', i-’i 


yoked the avenging fire as wituels; and the aliens 



history of mfrcury. 


Q07 

7 


blies, where the moft weighty affairs were ciil- 

cufleJ, met in the temple of Vulcan. 

Of the more ancient people the Egyptians arc 

thole among whom this god was held m g re ate ft 


veneration. lie had a magnificent temple ar 
Memphis, before which was placed a cololfil flattie 


75 


feet high. 


That which was in the temple 
being fmall and contemptible, excited the derifion 
of Cambyfcs when he conquered Memphis j and 
out of contempt he ordered it to be thrown into 
the fire. The lion was cunfecrated to Vulcan, be¬ 
came its roaring re fern bled the node of a Volcano, 
and his temple was continually guarded by dogs. 


HISTORY AND FABLE OF MERCURY. 


1 he ancients reckoned Juch a number of 
Mercuries, whole employments were fo widely dif¬ 
ferent, that to avoid confufaon we mud reem to 

hillory. 

4T 

From that we learn that the number mull be re¬ 
duced to two; the moft ancient cl which was toe 
Thaut, or Thot, of the Egyptians, conreir porary 
with Ofiris. The lecond, according to» I leliou. 


J unite 


We 


A 

brated than the Mercury of die Egyptians. ^ ic 



RIsTOiVf OF Ml.r.CURV.. 


was the foui of the council of Ofiris, who, on 
departure for the conqueft of India, left him 
Ifis, whom he had appointed regent of his d 


jji> 


with 


uoiin 


nions; confidering him as the man mod capable 
of afllRing her in the difcharge of that office. 
To Mercury the Egyptians were indebted for ip 
flourifhing Rate ol their arts and comnunc. 
Engaged in the Rudy of the moR fublime lcienct., 
by his extenfive knowledge of geometry, 
taught the Egyptians how 


l(* 


to diftingtufh this 


! 


lands; whole limits were frequently deftroyai hr 
the inundations of the Nile. I-Ie was the invert.i 
of hicroglyphick charatlers, which aftenvan:, 
ferved to perpetuate the memory of their relink:; 
and myRcrics. 

Diodorus Siculus agrees with liefiod as to :V 


confidence repoled in him by the great Of rb, 
adds, that he reformed and reduced to enact r. 
the ligyutiun tongue, fubilituring it for the 

O J t ' S J 

uncertain bbilefls bclert ma.le ufc of. 

He gave names to things wliich till 1 
none; firR' invented letters, an 1 regulated < wa 
die harmony of words and plunks. 

e ftabiidied th.e rites of !.r i> v 


Adler having 


ami religious u orIk ip; lie imparted his knovh 
of aftronomy to others. 1 le was the iiiif,;' 

the lire, which had originally but fusel a 
bafe, tenor and treble, lie liril punlikU >; 
tion and interpretation, wife h afterwards p' 11 




< ' * 


) 

i ' 1 


h : n 




-/ 


HISTORY or MERCURY. 

him the name of Hermes. To him the Egyptians 
afcribed the difcovery of the olive. He likewifc 
eftablifhed the cuftom of wreftling and dancing, 
which give ftrength to the body, and grace to the 

motions. 

The number of books which he left are reckoned 
forty-two, and nothing could equal the veneration 

in which they were held by the Egyptians. 

Some authors attribute part of them to a fecond 
Egyptian Mercury, furnamed Trifmegiftus j but 

their proofs are very dubious. 

Thefe celebrated books have long been loft 5 it 
is only known that the firft thirty-iix. contained the 
whole of the Egyptian philofophy, and that the 
Ja ft fix treated of medicine, furgery, and anatomy. 
This is all that is tranfmittcd to us of the moft 

ancient of the Mercuries. 

The fecond Mercury, lbn of Jupiter and Maia, 

acquired great reputation among • the Titan 

4 

Princes. 

After the death of his father, Italy, Gaul, and 
Spain, fell to his lot; but he was not abfolute fove- 
reign of them till the death of his uncle Pluto, 

This prince pofit*fling great talents, great ad- 
dreIs, and even great ilibtlety, travelled into 
P.gypt to acquire a knowledge of the fcienccs and 
culloms of that country. 1 ie there learned magic 
in particular, which was then much in ufe. 
lie was confulted by the T itans his relations :u 

9 

E -i : i 



210 


FAULK OF MUR C CRY. 


an augur, which gave occafion to the poets to dc. 
fcribe him as interpreter of the will of the gods. 
In this excurfion into Egypt he obtained initia- 
into all their mvQerics. The life which 


tion 


Jupiter made or ms naurc is and eloquence made 
him regarded as the meffenger of the gods; and 
his fu c cel is in ft vend treaties of peace procured 
him the appellation of God of Peace. Pie contri¬ 
buted o-reatly to civilize the manneis, and cult.\ict 
the minds of the people. He united them b\ 
merce and good laws; but the great defects 
which accompanied his extraordinary abilities in¬ 
volved him in a war with the other children 

Jupiter, in which he was vanquiihed ; and »etiirn- 

ins? into Egypt ended his days there. 

This Mercury of the Greeks was generally re 


com 


warded as the inventor of the fine arts. 

The Gauls honoured him under the name 

Teutates, and offered to him human vidtims. 


( 


FAULK OF TIIK GRi'.EKk COKC1TMN 1 .■ 


MERCURY. 




FABLE OF MERCURY. 


21 t 


charged with all their commififions; upon him 
depended peace and war ; he prefided at their 
afiemblies, heard and infpired their harangues, 
anfwered them, and in fliort was principal minijler 
of I ho gods. 

To exprefs the celerity with which he per¬ 
formed fo many functions, he is reprefented with 
wings to his head and feet. The latter are called 
Talaria. 


To dc-fcribe his talents for negociating peace, 
he has the caduccum in his hand ; (a Ipecies of 
wand with two ferpents twilled round it.) This 
caduccum was the fymbol of peace. It is faid 
that Mercury one day finding two fnakes which 
were fighting, feparated them, or rather recon¬ 
ciled them with his wand, and from that time, 
when negociating peace, he carried this fymbol of 


reconciliation. 


Mercury 


iD 


lor peace afterwards carried the caduceum, and 
called themfelves Caduciators. When Mercury 
was reprefented with a fimple wand, he was fup- 
poftd to be conducting departed fpirits to the 
infernal regions. It was thought he alone had the 
power of feparating with this wand the foul from 
the body. He prefided over tranfmigration, and 
tnuisfiifcd into different bodies thole fouls which 
had remained their deftined time in the dominions 
°f Pluto. He was rcprelcntcd with a chain of 

P 2 gold 



212 


fable of mercury. 


gold proceeding from his mouth, which was fas¬ 
tened to the ears of his auditors. A lively image 
to defcribe the influence of his eloquence over 
the mind. 

His ftatues were placed in the highway, to point 
out the road to travellers. The Romans lbmc- 
times joined thefe flatues to die backs of thofe 
of the other gods. Thole which were placed be¬ 
hind Minerva, were called Hermathenea; thole 
which were joined to Cupid, Hcrmerotes, See. 

He wasc ailed Mercury from mcrcatura , Com¬ 
merce 3 over which he prefided. But as he wv.-. 
likewife lufpedted cf countenancing knavery, he 
was confidered as the god of thieves 3 and his 
adventure with Battus proves, that he would oc- 
cafionally pradtife this art himfelf. 

One day feeing Apollo attending the flocks of 
Admetus, he dole fome of his cattle, but was per¬ 


ceived by Battus. 

Mercury, to file nee him, and engage him to 

fecrecy, gave him a line cow; but llilpecfling his 

fincerity, he went away, and returned loon after 

♦ 

under another form; queflioned Batlus concerning 
the theft, and pronuled him an ox and a cow 
if he would diicover the robber. 1 empted by 
fo dazzling an oiler, the unlucky Battus cli 1 doled 
the fecret, and Mercury immediately making him¬ 
felf known, changed him into a touch-llone. 'ihi> 

fable 



FABI.E OF MERCURY. 



fable originated in the circumftance of Battus 
having firft difcovered the properties of that 
ftone by which metals are tried. 

Mercury was ffyled the three-headed god, from 
his power in heaven, in earth, and in hell ; or 
according to fome poets, becaufe he had three 
daughters by Plecate. He was called Cyllenius 
from the mountain Cyllentis where he was born ; 
Nomius from being the inventor of laws; Camil- 
lus from ferving the gods (this name was after¬ 
wards given to thofe who officiated in facrifices) 
and Vialis, becaufe he prefided over the high¬ 
ways j on which occafion his {latues had neither 
hands nor feet, being what are now called buffs. 

Mercury was the inventor of weights and 
meafures, which by facilitating retail trade, in- 
creafed the profits of commerce. 

1 he lyre was alfo of his invention ; it was 
called by the Romans tejludc, tortoife; be¬ 
caufe it was originally formed of the ihell of that 
animal. 


Some poets fay, that lie gave it to Apollo in 
exchange for the caducous. 

In his facrifices they burnt the tongues of vic¬ 
tims in honour of him, as being the god of elo¬ 
quence. I hey tiled to place his flattie before 
cieir doors, in hopes he would defend them 
f om thieves, whofc patron he was fuppoied to be. 



DIVINITIES 



SEA AND RIVER DIVINITIES. 


911 


DIVINITIES OF THE SEA AND RIVERS. 


The nece(Titles of life which conflantlv 
prefs us, necefTities which, ungratified, deprive us 
of exigence, thefe led men to beiieve that there 
were gods appointed to prefide over them. Hence 
every element had its divinity. From the imrci- 
fibility of forming an idea of thofe invifible br¬ 
ings, they were fymbolicaily reprefented by f:no¬ 
thing animated. It was thus the Egyptians gave 
the names of Ofiris and Ifis to the Sun and Moon. 

Neptune, famous as commander of the fleets of 
Jupiter, became god of the fea. Each river, 
fountain, and head of water, had its particular 
deity. 


This worfbip, like the cufloms and opinion-, 
of different people, was various; but water v.v.s 
univerfally adored. The Egyptians held the lea 
in abhorrence, becaufe it reprefented to them tie: 
dreadful Typhon. They referved all their vene¬ 
ration for the waters of the Nile. They calk 
this river Occanus, Ipeus, or Nilus j frequently 
Stris, by way of abbreviation for Ofiris ; they 
reprefented it, or rather the deity that preluleJ 

over it, under the form of a vafe, pierced, in ever' 
part, which they called I lydria. The 


I 

V * 


» * 


rrrn.E 



SEA AND RIVER 1)1 VI.VI TIES. 


o j • 

i * ■ 


:> 


having offered to maintain the pre-eminence of 
Fire, which was their great divinity, the Egyptian 
priefls accepted the challenge. The Hydria was 
placed upon a flaming furnace ; but the perfora¬ 
tions being curioufly Hopped with wax, when tJii.s 
melted, the water gufhedout, and cxtinguifhingthe 
fire, the Nile was pronounced victorious. From 
that time nothing could equal the veneration in 
which it was held by the Egyptians. According 


to them, the Nile, or water in general, was the 
principal of univerfal fertility, and alone gave life 
and motion to every living creature. The Indians 
paid divine honours to the Ganges ; which fuperfti- 
tion (till continues ; and the princes who 


reign on 


the banks of that river, make their fubjedts pay 

for the privilege of bathing in it, and fetching 
water from it. 

Aim oft every people of the earth paid divine 

honours to the ocean, feas, fountains, and rivers. 

in (>recce there was neither fountain nor river 

which had not flatties and religious infl ri«>fioiis. 

io water veie attributed the mof! Irrpnhntr 

dEcls, anti the poets increafed confidcrably this 

Ipeeics of worfiiip and idolatry, bv the addition of 

■ m ' 

'■■.a In nuns. 1 Ienee proceeded 111 ole divinities 
v> ' 1K * dnqial'j in number thole of heaven, and every 

of the univerfe. Oeeanus had by The- 
ms leventy-rwo nymphs, railed Oeeanides. Nereus 
hd lit ry Nereides, whole names are mentioned 

bv 


i’ j 

I 



£ lb 


HISTORY OF OCEANUS AND THETIS. 


by Hefiod. The fame poet makes the number of 
aquatic nymphs amount to three thoufand; and if 
to thefe are added the Nereids, the Napmx, the 
Lymniades, &c. &c.—we {"hall find that this 
dais of divinities was without number ;—but vc 

fhall confine ourfelves to the raoft remarkable, 

• * 


JHSTORY OF OCEAN US AND THETIS 




Oceanus was fon to Ccelus and Tea,' 
He was juftly regarded as the principal maiim 
divinity, fince he reprefents the greateft colledio; 
of water, and it appears certain that this nanr 
was borne by a prince of the family of the Titan;. 
Homer fays, that Juno was brought up by Oce¬ 
anus and Thetis his wife. From Oceanus and 

/ 

Thetis fprung Nereus and Doris, who had five: f 
children, known under the name of Nymphs. 

Thofe who prefided over forefts, tree.', 
meadows, were called Dryads and Hamadryads, or 
Napase. 'Thofe who were the tutelar deities o, 
rivers, rivulets, and fountains, were named Nai¬ 
ades. Thofe who inhabited mountains were 
called Oreaths; and thofe who refilled in the iea 
were called Nereides, from their father Nereus. 

'The molt illufllions of" the latter, called 
alfo Thetis, muff be dill intrui Iliad from the wd■ ‘ 


... i 


M 


4 » 



HISTORY of NEPTUNE AND AMPIIITRITF. 217 


of Oceanus. 


Jupiter, but 


he having read in the book of Fate, that jfhe 
would have a fon more famous than his father, 
gave her in marriage to Peleus, by whom fhe had 
Achilles. Two antique monuments have tranf- 
nhtted to us the manner in which Oceanus was 
rep re fen ted. The firft is a flatue difcovered at 
Rome, about the middle of the fix teen th century. 
Th e o-od is feen feated upon the waves, under the 
livure of an old man holding a pike, and near 
him is a fea-monfter of a form unknown. 

The fecond is a (tone of Beger, where he is 
likewife reprefented as an old man fitting upon 
the lea, and at a cliitance are feen feveral veffds. 
The hiftory of Oceanus is not ex ten five, as the 
ancients did not regard him as a real perfonage. 
Nereus was reprefented furrounded by his daugh¬ 
ters, dolphins, and lea iiorlT, 


Ji[STORY Of MKPd UXK .vRl) AMITiiTRlTi'.. 


INF kp'it ::r. was iim of Saturn, and 

brother to jupitvr. In the cbvifion of his father’s 
Kingdom the dominion oi tin 1 waves feij to his lot. 

? f ♦ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

ills iceptrc was a trident, i:is car, a vatt fliell> 

brawn by fea calves, or hoi (I* 1 :, half whole body 

rrVmbhai that oi a iihi. 1 iis train was compo/ed 

* 



2 l 8 HISTORY OF NEPTUNE AND AM PHI IT IT I-.. 

of a number of Tritons, founding fea fhells inftead 

of trumpets. We learn from hiftorv, thatNeu. 

tune was one of the mod celebrated of the Tir.m 

princes, and had for his portion the Sea, the Jfics 

and all maritime places. 

Diodorus lays, that Neptune was the fir ft who 

commanded a naval armament. Saturn his fathe 

employed him to oppofe the Titans by fea. 

* 

Jupiter, his brother, having feized the empire of 


r 


Saturn, continued him in the command of the 
fleet, and always found him faithfully co-operate 
with him in all his projects. The Titan princes 
having (led before Jupiter, as far as the weflern. 
countries, Neptune blocked them up there ; which 
gave rife to the fidtion ; that he had impriloned 
them in the infernal regions. The poets increafe.l 
the number of Neptunes, by giving this name to 
every unknown prince who arrived by fea, and 
acquired any degree of celebrity. It is to this aijuie 
we mud attribute the multitude of dories, incu- 
morphofes, and adventures, aferibed to Neptune. 

Amphitritc, wife of Neptune, was a being en¬ 
tirely poetical; having no relation at all to hillorv. 
Some of the ancients, however, believed her to li ¬ 
the daughter of a Titan prince, and lay that Nep 
tune flood in need of an able nctrociator to accorn 
piiIll this marriage. This gave rile to the Itoiv 
that Neptune lent a dolphin to obtain the conic;,; 

ot Ampliitritc, which having fuccecdccb the driry 



HISTORY OF NEPTUNE AND AMPHITRITE. 


2 3 q 


out of gratitude placed it among the conftellations 
near Capricorn j and endowed it with a rapidity in 
fwimming fuperior to other filli. To dolphins the 
poets attribute a particular attachment to man, 
whom they are fuppofed to fuccour wlien fhip- 
wrecked. The fable of Neptune addling Apollo 
to rebuild the walls of Troy, is founded on the 
drcumflance of that city ami its dykes towards 
the lea being fo ftrong, that they were fuppofed to 
be the workman/hip of the gods. The covetous 
Laomedon plundered the temple of Neptune of 
the money depofited there, and negleded the wor- 
Ihip of Apollo, A violent irruption of the fea 
having deftroyed the dykes, and left the Jhorc 
covered with dead bodies and dime, the heat of 
the fun generated a peftiler.ee, and the people, ever 
Jupcrftkious, attributed thefe two calamities to the 
vengeance of Neptune and Apoilo. 

The Greeks gave Neptune the furname of 
Pofeidon, ftgnifying to daih vefii Is in pieces. His 
trident had three points, exprellive o( the waters 
of the fea, rivers, and fountains. The numerous 
vefiels which, compofed the feet of Neptune were 
uiflin.'juifhed by dilierent animals or figures placed 
upon their prows; it is to that, we mufl attribute 
his dilierent metamorphofes. Tilts deity is gene¬ 
rally reprelented advancing upon the waves in a 
du'll drawn by two fea Ijorles; in one hand he 
h M l l.v a tridt nt', and the other he repoles upon a 

dolphin. 



220 


THE TRITONS ANH SYREN'S, 


dolphin. We {hall not give an account, either of 
all the furnames of Neptune, or of all the temples 
railed to him; their number aim oft equalled that 
of the mariners who efcaped from {hip-wreck. 
His victims were generally a horfe and a bull. 
The month of February was confecrated to him, 
becaufe this was the month of purifications. Du¬ 
ring the feafts of Neptune, horles and mule;, 
adorned with flowers, enjoyed a cefTation from la¬ 
bour. None dared dillurb their repofe. This 
was a token of their gratitude to him for havinp 

o 

firft inftrudlcd them in the art of breaking thde 
animals, and rendering them ufeful. 


THE TRITONS AND SYRENS. 


nn 


1 he firft of the Tritons was fon of Ken 
tune and Amplntrire; or according to form* 
of Neptune and Ctvleno. The upper part oi hit 
body rcfcmblecl that of man, the lower part that 
of a dolphin. 

Triton being the Trumpeter of l\h ptune, a.nd 
in that capacity in the war againft the giant' . .uni 
the cxiraordinarv node of \m inf! iinvent, lays ' r 

v 7 ' 

fable, fo terrified them, that they tooh to tl mm 

* 

and left the gods v id minus. Mav not tlii - 1 "' 

i. » 

corrupted tradition of the fall of the walls of h 



Tilt TRITONS AND SYREXd, 


9 , 9.1 


ficho? The other ftories of the Tritons are merely 
imaginary, founded upon thealmoft general belie 


r 

L 


The charms of their Zinging allured mari- 


of both ancients and moderns, that there exift in 
the fea animals reiembling the human fpecies. 
The natural predilection of the Greeks for the 
marvellous, and the prodigious divcrfity of fea 
animals, were fuificient to procure credit to thefc 
fictions, and render them innumerable. Of the 
Syrens we mult likewife entertain the fame opinion. 
They are reprefented by the poets as beautiful 
young females inhabiting the rocks on the coaft of 
Sicily. 

ncrs, who were wrecked in their attempts to ap¬ 
proach them. Leucofia, Ligea, and Tarthenope 
were the molt famous. The latter died in a cite 

J 

called after her name, which being afterwards re¬ 
built by the tyrant Phalaris, was by him called 
Neapolis, Naples, or new city. 

The Syrens were daughters of the river Achilous, 
and the nymph Calliope. Ovid in his Metatnor- 
phofes liiys, that they were the companion;, of 
Prolerpinc at the time (he was carried oil' by idu- 
to. They petitioned the gods for wings to tra- 
vcrle the ocean in qudl of her, which was <>ranted. 

1 lie jealous Juno treachcrou/ly ])rompted them to 
challenge the nine Mules in (ln<>i::<>-, gut gein« 
Viinqiiiflu-d, the pupils of Apollo puniihed them by 
tearing oil their wings, of which they made them- 

Id VO 



5>2 2 


THE TRITONS AND SYRENS* 


felves crowns. Several ancient monuments reprc. 
fented the Mules wearing thele ornaments. 

The Syrens had melodious voices, and touched 
the lute molt enchantingly. Orpheus, when he 
accompanied the Argonauts, faved his companions 
from their allurements by finging himfclf the 
battles and victories of the gods. 

The beauty of his verfes which he accompanied 
on the lute, clearly fhowed the Syrens their ow: 
inferiority. Enraged at being excelled, they t!:r-:- s - 
their inftruments into the fea, and never iargaf-r, 
Their pride received a fecond mortification from 
Ulyfies. Being warned againft their feducingar:;. 
by the enc.hantrefs Circe, he caufed himll-lfto i-e 
bound to the main malt of his veiled, having frit 
taken the precaution to Hop the ears of his com¬ 
panions with wax. 

Hiftory explains thefe two fables by laying, 
that the coafts of Sicily were inhabited by actre'T'S 
and courtezans, who endeavoured to detain tra¬ 
vellers among them by continually offering il’.ein 
a fucceflion of pleafures. 

They are reprefented as beautiful females to it 1 ' 
middle, the n it of their bodies terminating IT' 
thole of the Tritons. 


The word .Syren comes from sclra^ chain, " 
cxprofs the difficulty of refilling their charms an. 
avoiding their letter:’. 




PROTEUS. 


22 3 


The holy man, Job, in one of his books, fays, 
f I lament my misfortunes with the melancholy tone 
of a Syren.’ 

He feems to allude to certain Indian birds, men¬ 
tioned by Pliny the naturalift; the melody of 
whofe firming lulled travellers to bleep. They 
were only found in the moft unfrequented places. 


PROTEUS. 



roteus, the fon of Neptune, or of 
Oceanus and Thetis, was entrufbed with the care, 
of Neptune’s flocks, compofed of fea calves and 
other marine animals. The Latins called him 
likewife Verturnnus. I~Ie had the faculty of afllim - 
ing any form at pleafure. Smitten with the charms 
of Pomona, goddefs of gardens, he perfonated an 
old woman, the entire confidant of that s-oddefs. 
The ftratagem fucceedcd, and he efpouled Pomona. 

The ftory of Arifteus, fon of Apollo, and the 


nymph Cyrenc, proves how capable Proteus was 
of transforming himfelf into whatever fliapc.hc 
pleafed. Eurydice was preparing to eljpoufc Or¬ 
pheus- already was the nuptial altar railed in 
meadow enamelled with flowers; the fiery Arifteus 
op poled this union, and furioufly advanced to llizc 
Eurydice; alfrighted Ike fled through the meadow, 

a a J 



PROTEUS. 




and heedlefs of any other foe than the rafh ycy.,:'i 
who purfued her, was mortally flung by a Err "at 
upon which fhe placed her foot. 

The nymphs, difconfolate for her lofs, revem-M 
themfelves upon Arifteus by deft roving 


1 I 

i 1 t ^ ( 


« t 




To repair this lols, his mother Cyrene font hi:" 
bo confult Proteus, advifing him to furprii 


when afleep, to bind him fall, and allured l.h: 
that having in vain attempted to efcape h; ■ 
metamorpholes, he would at 1 a 11 aflame m. 
nal form, and give him the information lie :c v . 
Proteus being furprifed by Anllcus, uv ; 1 - 
bound in chains ; in vain does he pradtic : 
art of transformation, he is compelled to ;• •. 

recover his liberty. 


He informs his va:v-. 


1 ** *. ' \ f 
J X i t.. I * V 


that he muft facrifice four bulls and as 
fers, to the manes of Eurydice ; and that imr.' " 




would proceed numerous fwarms of bees, 
allures us, that the fkin of a bullock oi la 1 .":, 
when expofed to the fun, attracts inkda \d A; 

prcfently become bees. 

Hiflory makes mention of one Proteus, k'.r.r <' 
Egypt, who lived about the time of the Tro;:u;\ :a. 

Prom his fecrecv, wifdom, and fordigiu, " " 

• • 

prince was fuppofed to have the power ol -vv.i:.p, 
into futurity. The difficulty of difeovema, n 
defigns, and the defire of cnfiuuing him bv 
anfwcrs, might have caufed the poets to feign, nnit 
to difeover his fecrcts it was nccefury to bind In n. 




GLAUCUS. 


225 


Some authors fay, that Proteus was one of the 
magicians fent for by Pharaoh, when Mofes per¬ 
formed his miracles, at the departure of the Ifrael- 
ites out of Egypt. Others, on the contrary, 
regard the fable of Proteus as an allegory intended 
to fhow, that truth is difficult to be difcovered by 
thofe who do not apply themfelves to the fearcfa 
of it with courage and perfeverance. 


GLAUCUS, PORTUNUS, PHORCYS, SARON, 

ALGEON. 


'Utlaucus was a fiHierman. One day per¬ 
ceiving that the fifh acquired extraordinary 
ftrength on touching a herb upon which he had 
laid them, he wifhed himfelf to try the experi¬ 
ment, and immediately on touching it he leaped 
into the fea, where he was received into the num¬ 
ber of the fea deities. 

Glaucus was a dextrous fi flier man, who had the 
talent of diving and remaining a long time under 
water. To make himfelf of more importance, 
he boafted of being entertained by the fea gods; 
he was at laft drowned, and gave rife to the fable 
wc have juft related. The ancients reckoned 
three of the name of Glaucus; one, fon of Minos; 

another, fon of Hippolitus; and the third, fur- 
named Ponticusi 

o. 


Portunus 



226 


PORTUNUS, PHORCYS. 


Porturtus, fo called by the Latins, was ion of 
Athamas, king of Thebes, and Ino, daughter to 
Cadmus. Juno, the declared foe of Cadmus became 
he was brother to Europa, infpired Athamas with 
fuch a phrenzy that he threatened to tear in pieces 
his wife Ino, and her fon Melicerta. Flying pre¬ 
cipitately to avoid his vengeance, they fell into 
the fea, where they both perifhed, and by the poets 
were feigned to have been changed into gods of the 
ocean. The name of Ino was exchanged into Lcu- 
cothoe, and Melicerta was called Pakcmon, or Por¬ 
tunus. Pie is defcribed with a key in his right 
hand, to exprefs, that ports are under his care and 
protedtion. The Roman ladies held Leucothoe in 
great veneration, but dared only invoke her in fa¬ 
vour of their nephews; they were afraid left their 
own children fhouid fuller the fame misfortunes 
as Leucothoe and her fon had experienced. Fe¬ 
male (laves -were not permitted to enter her temple. 

Phorcys, or Phorcus, a fea deity, was fon of 
Pontus and Terra, or according to others, of Nep¬ 
tune ■, he was tire father of the Gorgons, of whom 
we dr all (peak in the hiftory of Perfeus. 

lie had alfo a daughter named Thoofa, who was 
mother of Polyphemus, the molt celebrated o I the 
Cyclops. He was likewife looked upon as ik 
father of the ferpent which guarded the gulden 
apples of the HeTperides. Scylla alio was I up - 
poled to be his daughter. 



SARON, RECKON. 22 J 

This nymph having engaged the affections of 
Neptune, excited the jealouly of the goddefs Am- 
phitrite, who poifoned a fountain in which fhe 

A 

ufed to bathe. Scylla, on feeling the effeCts of the 
poifon, became diftrafted, threw herfelf into the 
fea, and was changed into a monlter, much dreaded 
bv mariners. 

Such is the fable invented concerning the gulph 
fituated between Reggio and Medina. The noife 
of claihing' currents here refembles the barking 
of dogs ; and the dread of this gulph, as well as 
that of Charybdis, fituated on the oppofite fide, 
caufed them to be honoured as fea deities. Tfe 
gulph Charybdis derived its name from a cruel 
woman who ufed to plunder travellers, but was at; 
laft killed by Hercules. 

Saron was regarded as the particular divinity of 
Tailors. He was king of Corinth, and being 
pafhonately fond of the chace, one day plunged 
into the fea in purfuit of a (tag. Exhaufted 
with heat and fatigue he there perifhed, and his 
body being thrown on fhore by the waves, near a 
wood facred to Diana, in the Phcebean marfli, 
was buried in the court before the temple. From 
that time this was called the Saronic, inftead of 
the Phcebean marfli. 

vPgeon is deferibed by Homer as a formidable 

♦ 

giant. Ovid calls him Ion of Ccelus and Terra. 
He inhabited the ocean, from whence he ilTued to 



*28 


NYMPHS, DRYADS, HAMADRYADS, 


aflift the Titans againft Jupiter, but being van- 
quilhed by Neptune he was forced to retire, and 
leek refuge in his watery abode. 

We mud not negieft mentioning the {lory of the 
Halcyon, a fea bird which builds its neft upon tne 
waves even in winter. During fourteen days, 
from the thirteenth of December to the twenty- 

4 

eighth of the fame month, the fea is perfedlly calm, 
and feems to refpect this bird. Mariners call thefe 
Halcyon days; a pheenomenon which produced 
the following ftory: 

Halcyone, wife of Ceyx, king of Trachriniu, law 
in a dream her hufband who was returning from 

r 

confulting the oracle at Delphos. At break oi’ 
day fhe haftened to the fea fhoxe, and perceived 
at a difiance the floating body of her beloved 
Ceyx. Following only the didlates of defpair, fnc 
plunged into the ocean and was drowned. Touched 
with companion, the gods transformed them bob 
into the birds called Halcyons. 


NYMPHS, DRYADS, HAMADRYADS, NAP.fi 

AND NEREIDS. 


1 jiese divinities derived their origin from 
the water, See. and ought consequently to be 
claffed with the fea deities. Thofe who inha¬ 
bited the earth were, called in general Nymphs. 


% • 


3 


Thole 



NAP.C/E, AN'D NEREIDS. 


£2g 

Thofe who pre Tided over rivers and fountains 
were named Naiads. Thofe who refided in 
marfbes and pools were called Lymniades. Thofe 
who dwelt in groves, Napasa;. 

Dryads were thofe who dwelt in woods; and 
Hamadryads thole whofe fate was attached to a 
particular tree, with which their life commenced 
and ended. 

Nymphs of the mountains were called Oreades, 
and the name of Nereids was given to all thofe 
who inhabited the ocean. 

Milk, oil, honey, and fometimes goats were 
offered them in fieri fice. The word nymph is 
fuppoled to be derived from lymph a , water; or 
from the Phoenician word nephas , foul. Before 
the fyflem of Tartarus and the Elyfian fields was 
adopted, fouls were fuppofed to wander round the 
tombs, or in gardens and woods, which had been 
their favourite haunts when living. Thefe places, 
were regarded with religious veneration, and hence 
arofc the cuftom of facrificinp- to the manes of the 

o 

dead under green trees. The care of thefe was 
committed to the nymphs, whofe number of courfe 
mufl have mereafed prodigioufly. To name them 
su! we think would be entirely ufelefs. 




230 


IOLUS AND THE WINDS, 


OF F.OLUS AND THE WINDS. 


EoluSj god of winds and tempefk, mi:i> 
be placed among the marine divinities. He palled 
for the fon of Jupiter; a title which he owed 
entirely to his own merit. He was fon of Hip 
potes, lived in the time of the Trojan war, and 
reigned over the Eolian iflands, called before his 
time Vulcanian. They are feven in number. So 
little knowledge had the ancients of navigation, 
and fo great were the dangers of the fca, that to 
forefee and provide again!! them, was thought 
beyond the reach of human power. Eoius pofiefl¬ 
ing a forefight, penetration, and knowledge fupcrior 
to his contemporaries, by frequently foretelling the 
approach of ftorms. Itemed to be fomethirrr more 
than mortal. By attentively oblerving the dirt-c 
tion in which the fmoke of the volcanoes was 
driven by the winds, he learned to diltinguilh thole 



which blew moll violent, and were of 
duration. It was by this means he forewarned 
Ulyflcs of the approaching alteration in the wea¬ 
ther, and wilh.ed him to defer his departure a Hur t 
time. The air of confidence with which he give 
this information made the companions of Ulvues 

I 

and 


believe that lie commanded the 


cn 


s * 1 



EOLUS AND THE WINDS.. 


a 3 i 


i'ould reftrain them at the mitigation of their 

prince. However they determined to purfue 

their voyage, but foon had reafon to repent theii: 

rafh precipitation ; they were overtaken by a ftorm 

1 

and almoft all perifhed. The poets, according to 
their ufual cuftom, did not fail to celebrate this 
prediction of Eolus. They pretended that at the 
entreaty of Ulyffes, he had enclofed the winds in 
fkins, and committed them to the cuflody of that 
prince, but that his companions having impru¬ 
dently opened them, the winds now at liberty 
railed the deep from its foundations, and {wal¬ 
lowed up his velfel. The dread of thefe terrible 
divinities was fuch that no voyage was undertaken 
without offering them facrifices. 

The defcendants of Eolus, after having given 
Several monarchs to Greece, fent colonies into 
Afia Minor, and having peopled the coafl there, 
afterwards palled into Italy. 

It is pretended by the poets that the winds were 
ions of Aurora and AH rams, one of the giants 
who waged war again It the gods. 

I lis children were as boiftcrous as himfelf. 

The four principal gave their names to the 

v. iiuh,: 


J ue lirft is Boreas, or the north wind. 
Hie leeond Aufter, or the fouth wind. 
J’he third l: airus, or the call wind. 

1 he fourth Zephyrus, or the welt wind. 

T 4 


Boreas 



2 3 2 


JJOLIXS AND THE WINDS. 


Boreas wifhed to efpoufe Orithyia, daughter of 
Ereftheus, king of Athens, but being refilled by 
that prince, he carried her off with his breath, and 
tranfported her into Thrace, where fhe bore him 
two fons, Calais and Zethis, of whom we finali 
fpeak in the expeditions of the Argonauts. 

The fable adds, that Boreas, metamorphofed into 
a horfe, had twelve colts offuch extraordinary velo¬ 
city, that they ran on the furface of the waves 
without finking, and over fields of corn without 
bending its heads. 

This allegory is defcriptive of the fwiftncfi of 
the winds. 


IND O? THE FIRST FART, 



terrestrial divinities. 


m 


TERRESTRIAL DIVINITIES. 

r *1 

I he disfigured and imperfed remem¬ 
brance of iacred tradition was no longer fulficient 
to lead to a knowledge of the true God. Strength, 
number, and addrefs, fecured to man the empire 
of the earth; he enjoyed it without gratitude, and 
thought only of indulging his inclinations and paf- 
fions. Yet, however great his pride, he perceived 
he had no authority over the elements, and that 
having conflantly to ftruggle again ft dangers which 
threatened his life, he needed fome friendly hand 
to luccour and pro ted him. Pain, terror, and 
necefiity compelled him to believe that there 
exifted a power fuperior to his own ; lie conde- 
lcended to implore it, but thinking he had a right 
to attach a price to his fervices, demanded in return 
provifion for all his wants. 

The idea of one only God, Supreme, Univerfa], 
the difpenfer of every bieiling, would have too 

much terrified him; he divided his functions and 
| * m 

ms power, multiplied the number of gods, and 
attributing to thele divinities of his iuui'dnation 

o 

the paffions with which himfelf was agitated, 
thought that the more numerous his lacrificcs the 

greater benefits he Ihould receive. 


It 



= 34 


TERRESTRIAL DIVrXITirS. 


Ci 


It was thus that man continually increafed the 
number of the celeflial, terreftrial, marine, and 
infernal deities. The earth itfelf became an obje 
of adoration. Woods, plains, harvefts, fields, gar¬ 
dens, meadows, all had their preluding divinity; 
houles had their gods, Lares, and Penates; each 
of which had its honours, functions, and vorfhip. 

They were at firft confidered as invifible beings, 
of a nature fuperior to the human fpecies j but 
fome men having diftingui fired themfelves by their 
improvements in agriculture, or by fome u.'dul 
invention, their names were given to tired un¬ 
known divinities, and 
founded together. 


quickly both were con- 


i: 


Among this prodigious 


number twelve wee 


reckoned of an order ii.pen-vr to the red. 

were called Confcntes. They were difiercr,; • 

* 

the twelve principal deities mentioned ;n a lormw 
part of this work. 

Jupiter and Terra were the two firft. 

The Sun and Moon, whofe influence F in !/(v' 
upon vegetal ion in general, were the fecund. 

% # 

Cm\% godilcls oi corrij and Bacchus, u! 
uiiic, were the third. 

1 I y ' 

Robi-us and Flora were tne muitn; tne 

C f 

former nrrf-rvinn; fruit from decav, and l>naj , i!r r 

i v > 

it to maturity; and the latter tending die gro " 11 
of flowers. 

Minerva and Venus were the filth.—Micro- 


<rn 1 1 i' Cl ' 




2 35 


♦ 

DI'MOCORCON* 


produced the olive, and Venus prefided over 
gardens, 

'fhe fixth and laft were Water and Bonus 
Evcntus. The former, becaufe without it the 
earth is parched and barren; the latter, whofe 
name hgnifies good fuccefs, attended to the pro¬ 
duction of abundant harvefls. 


Thefe were the principal terreftrial deities. 
T'iicir names and functions evidently prove that it 
is to the nccellities of man they are indebted for 
their origin and worfhip. 


Dl'.MOOORGOX. 


1 fits allegorical divinity was the genius 
of the earth. Such fear and veneration did his 
name infpire, that no perfon durft pronounce it 
with a laud voice. Philofophe i .s ] v 1 1 rded this 


divinity as tb.e fpirit o! heat, which is the life 
anil fipport of every plant. He was honoured by 
the people as a real deity. 

1 lis form was that of a dirty old man covered 
v.ith mols, pale and di: figured, and he redded 
eonilantly in the bowels of the earth. Hi 
companions were Chaos and Eternity. 

We thiink it incumbent on us to give part of 
the iWeription of this obfeure and lingular divi- 
,M \ tw traniinittrd to us hy the po- ts. 


s 


n 


AYnry 



DEMOGORGON*. 


a 36 


* 

Weary and difgufted with his melancholy abode, 
he formed a ball, feated himfelf upon it, and rifiro- 
into the air fixed the limits of the earth, an.! 
created the heavens. Palling over the Acrocerau- 
nian mountains which vomit forth fire, he took, 
from them fome flaming matter with which he 
formed the fun, placed it in heaven to illumine the 
world, and gave it in marriage to the earth. 

Their offspring v/ere Tartarus and Nox. 
Demogorgon, difturbed in his profound cavern 
by the pains and anguifh of Chaos, lent Dilirord 
from the centre of the earth to inhabit the furface 
of it, and this was the fir ft of his children. In 
the fame manner he fent forth the three hates; 
the Serpent Python, Night, Tartarus, Ac. Ac. 

We Hi all dwell no longer upon tire deleripricn 
of fo monilrous a brood; yet through this t!:ich 
veil we have a faint glimpfe of the my fiery of the 
creation, and fome disfigured traces of and; n! 
tradition. The Arcadians were the lint who be¬ 
lieved the earth animated by a genius; it is from 

* m 

them Ik received the name of Demogorgon. 

The appellations of Ops and Tidies are inch!- 
ferer.tiy applied to the earth, and liequently it war, 
railed by the names of the goddcflls Vella, Cen '> 
f'roferpine, Rhea, Diana, or Cybele; but die m 
Riicicnt of all by which it was ilillinguilhed v.as 
Tiua, or Titaia, which fignitks mud or earth, as 


,.!1 


.lei 


I h'.uuis 



di.mogorgon* 


Q O ~* 
*■ Of 


The houfe 


Uranus fignifies heaven. Chaos alone was e flee me d 

more ancient than heaven and earth. 

Of the different f'eafts which were celebrated in 

honour of the earth, that ftyled the feaft of the 
bounteous goddefs was fo famous, that we think it 
indiipenfably necefTary to give fome account of it. 

On the firft of May the Vcflals went to the 
houle of the high prielt to perform a facrifice to 
the bounteous goddefs, (a myfterious divinity 
whofe name was known to females only.) 

The preparations for this facrifice, (which was 

offered for the fafety and profperity of the Roman 
people,) were very coftly, and the moft aftonifil¬ 
ing circumfpeftion was observed, 
in which this feaft was celebrated was fuperbly 
adorned, and, as it always took place in the night, 
the apartments were illuminated with a vafl number 
of lights. The principal care confifted in pre¬ 
venting tiie approach of men. The mailer of the 
houfe, his children, and Haves, were excluded ; 
all the windows were carefully clofed, and even 
before the pictures of men, and jnale animals, a 
curtain w'as drawn. 

The fame veil which has concealed Horn us 
the inyfteries of the lileufinian Ceres covers from 
our light thole of the bounteous goddefs. 

o o 

It is irnpoffible to Ipcak of them with any cer¬ 
tainty, and all the Roman hillorians acknowledge 
their ignorance upon this point. The conjec¬ 
tures 



TERMIN’OS. 



tures which have been made upon a iiibjcci f„ 
little known merit not the leaft confidence. TV- 
people were perfuaded that the goddefs would have 
punifhed with inftant blindnefs whoever ihouij 
dare attempt to difeover thefe myfteries. They 

4 

were fometimes celebrated in the houfes of die 
confuls and chief magiflrates of the republic. 

The earth is generally repre fen ted under the 
form of a irlobe. 


OF TI-IK GOD TERMINUS. 



lN.esi’ect for the facred right of 


TO 


peity can alone infurc the peace and exiftencc o! 
focicty; without this the weak would become a 
prey to the ftrong, and the earth would remain 
uncultivated j for man never labours but under the 
certain afluranee that he firall enjoy the fruits oi 
his indullry. For this rcafon, laws were inftitutal 
which obiicred individuals to mark out the limits of 

o 

their refpedlive lands. 

Ceres, the proteftrefs of hulbandry, is regarded 

by the ancients as the fir ft who ellaldifhcd iand 

Plutarch attributes tins invention to 

• • 

Numa Pompilius; but it appears certain that it h 
due to the celebrated Thaur, or the Fgvptian 


marks. 


JMcrcurv, who by this means rectified the dilorders 
occaiioncd bv the ovcrflowincr of the Nile. 

Numu. 


» 



TERMINUS. 


s 39 


Numn, finding the laws eftablifned for the fecu- 
rity of property infufficicnt, perluaded the Roman 
people that there exifted a god, guardian of 
boundaries, and the avenger of ufurpation. He 
built a temple to him on the Tarpeian mountain, 
instituted feafts to his honour, and prefcribed the 
form of his worlhip. lie reprefented this new 
divinity under the form of an immoveable rock. 
His feaft was called Terminalis, from Terminus. 
Milk, fruit, and a few cakes, were offered to him. 
Public facrifices were performed in his temple, 
and individuals facrificed to him on their own 
lands. During thefe feafts thofc whole lands 
were contiguous prefented themlelves, each on his 
own fide, near the mark which ieparated tlielr 
grounds. This mark they adorned with a garland 
of flowers, and rubbed it with oil to render it 
more durable. At the conclufion of this innocent 
i'cRival they facrificed lambs and young jugs, 
which afterwards ferved as a repaid for the two 
families united, and concord was invoked by all 
p re lent. 

A circumfhmce which happened, contributed 
much to the credit of the god Terminus. 


Tarquin the Proud wilhed to craft on the 
C'apitoline mountain the temple which Tarquin 
die Kldcr had vowed to Jupiter. For this purpofe 
it was neceffary to difplacc fevcral llatues and 
altars; thefe were removed without any refiftancc, 




FLORA, POMONA, VERTUMNUS. 


24O 

but the god Terminus, more firmly eftabliihed by 
Numa, braved all their efforts, and they were 
obliged to leave him in the middle of the temple 
they were conftrudting. 

The priefts pretended that all the other gods, 
from refpedt towards Jupiter, had yielded then- 
places, but that Jupiter himfelf, out of regard for the 
right of property, had permitted him a place in 
the middle of his temple. Such is the origin of 
the god Terminus. However, before the time 
of Numa, Jupiter was honoured under the nanv 
of Jupiter Terminalisj and the Greeks had a 
divinity who prefided over limits, who was called 
Jupiter Horius. 

The mod; folemn and lacred oaths were thole 
taken upon thefe flones. In after ages, tiie god 
Terminus was frequently reprefented by a pyra¬ 
midal land mark, having a head upon the top 
of it. 


FLORA, POMONA, VERTUMNUS, AND PRU 

PUS, THE GOD OF GARDENS. 



lora was wife to Zcphyrus, and goildeb 
of flowers. There appears to have been one » i 
this name extremely ancient, whofe origin v,as 

unknown. The Romans honoured a fecond Hoia, 

and 



AND rRIAPUS, T11E GOD OF CAREEN'S 


2 ,[ ,i 


and afcribed to her the worfliip rendered to the 
former, who probably was only an allegorical pcr- 
Jbnage. Acca Laurentia, a celebrated courtezan, 
bequeathed her immenle property to the Roman 
il-nate. This bequeft was accepted, but to con¬ 
ceal the fource from whence it came, they afiimi- 
lated Laurentia with this ancient Fiora, and ho¬ 
noured her as the reddefs of trroves and flowers. 


V. . 


Her feafts rife to the Floral Games. 


Pomona, s?o 

' Cj 



> of orchards, became the wife 


of Vertumnus, or Proteus, in the manner we have 
already mentionul. 


The (kill of this goddefs 


in die cultivation of fruit-trees and gardens, pro¬ 
cured her great reputation among the Romans, 
vd'ich was increaled by her uncommon beauty. 
She was placed in the Pantheon at Rome, but we 
fund not the leaf! mention of her among the Greeks. 

o 

Vertumnus her hufband, whofe name is derived 
from vert ere , to turn or change, was the lymbol 
of the year, and of the variation of the feafons. 
Me was frequently reprefented under the forms of 
a ploughman, a mower, a vine-drefler, and that of 
an old woman; to exprefs fpring, fummer, autumn 
and winter. By fome authors he is confounded 
v. idi Janusj others, on the contrary, fay that he 
v. as a king of Ittruria, celebrated for the plea lure 
he took in the cultivation of gardens. 

1 omona is reprefented under the form of a 
bvautiful young female fitting upon a bafket of 

R fruit ; 




RURAL DEITIES. 


842 


fruit; in her lap {he has apples, and round her art 
branches loaded with fruit. 

Vertumnus is painted as a young man, hold in? 
fruit in one hand, and in the other a horn of plenty, 
He is only half covered by his drefs. 

Priapus was likewife regarded as the god 0! 
gardens j he was faid to be the fon of Venus and 
Bacchus, born at Lampfacus. 

His hideous figure was generally employed 4 
gardens, to terrify thieves and birds. 

The eaftern nations worfhipped him under thr. 
name of Baal Pegor, 

W 


x X 


OF PALES, AND OTHER RURAL DEITILj. 


V> 


1 ales was the goddefs of fbepherds, at! 
proteftrefs of flocks. Her fealt called Palilia, e: 
Parilia, was celebrated in the month of April, on 
which occafion no victim was killed, nothing vm 


offered but the fruits of the earth. The 11 


iepi 


L ... • 
{H : '•> 


purified their flocks with the fmohe of lli 1 pb.u.', 

olive wood, box, laurel and rofemary; they the:'. 

“ * • 

made a fire of draw, round which they danced, n:;.i 
afterwards offered to the goddefs, milk, ela-Uk 

O J 7 

prepared wine and millet cakes. It was tlurir.r 
this feafl that they commemorated the foundatiir. 

of Rome, 

An-1 



RURAL DEITIES. 


2 43 

Anna Perenna was another rural divinity of the 
fame rank as Pales. The pureft and molt rational 
plealure, the iivelieft and molt unaffefted joy 
constantly animated the feafts of thefe two god- 
d c ile s. 

Bubona, goddefs of herdfmen, was the tutelar 
deity of homed cattle. 

v . 

Mellona protected bees, for which purpofe the 
fhepherd Ariflreus was alfo fometimes invoked. 

Scia prefidcd over corn while yet in the ground, 
Segefla during the harveft, and Tutcdina when 
ftored in barns. 

Robigus was invoked to preferve the corn from 
the mildew. 

4 

Bonus Eventus, good fuccefs, was honoured 
with a particular worfhip: his ftatue, executed by 
Praxiteles, was placed in the Capitol; he was 
ranked among the number of the principal rural 
and terreftrial deities. 

Popnlonia, whofe name fignifies devallation, 

ravage, protedled the fruits of the earth from hail 
and lightning. 

Pilumnus prefidcd over the grinding of corn, 
and Picunmus over manure. 

Saturn like\vile had the name of Stcrculius, 

becaufe he firfb taught the practice of enriching the 
ground with dung. 

Hippona was the goddefs of (tables and horfesj 
Colliu.i was the tutelar deity of hills. 


i* 2 


Jugatinus 




SATYRS, FAUN'?, A. GYPAN.', 


Jugatinus prefided over hillocks. 

All thefe divinities were invented by the Latins, 
and derived their names from their different occu¬ 
pations ; none of them are to be met u ith amor,7 
the Grecian deities. 


OF SATYRS, FAUNS, WGYPANS AND 'I ill, 

GOD PAN. 


Q 

Satyrs, Fauns, and TRgypans, were N; 
rural divinities, or rather demi-gods, whom t: ■: 

o J 

ancients fuppoied to inhabit fore (Is and mountain 1 ;. 


They were called indifferently Pans, /ligvpars, 
and Satyrs, and were reprefented as men of imaii 
ftacure, bearing a great refcmblancc to goats. 

K.* U O 

Thoic advanced in years were called Sikni. 'J ncy 
were faid to be ddeended from Mercnrv and me 

0 

nymph Iphiteme, or from Bacchus and the nymph 
Nicea, daughter of Sangarius. It fhouid feem chat 
thefe extraordinary deities owed their divinity to 
the fear and furprife occafioned on the fir ft appear¬ 
ance of apes. We can reafonably attribute to them 
no other origin. 

Pan held the principal place among the mod 
ancient deities. By the poets he is called Ion of 

Jupiter and the.,nymph Califto, or of Mercury and 
Penelope. 


Me 



AND THE GOD PAN'. 




He is reprefented under the form of a Satyr, 
holding in his hand a flute called Syrinx. By the 
Arcadians this god was particularly worflipped. 
In the month of February the Romans celebrated 
to his honour feafts called Fupercalia, from the 
place confecrated to him by F.vander, and where 
Romulus and Remus were fuppofed to have been 
fuckled by a wolf. 

Idis priells were called Luperci. The real 
origin of Pan was extremely ancient. The Egyp¬ 
tians, after having paid divine honours to the Sun 
under the name of Oflris, the Moon under that of 
Ills, and the fevcral parts of the univerfe under 
different names, adored the whole world collec¬ 
tively under the name of .Pan, which lignifies all. 
Theygavehim a human figure down to the middle, 
to reprefent man, and the red of his body repre- 
fented animals. The origin of the expreflion Pa¬ 
nic is uncertain. Some authors attribute it to the 
fudden terror excited among the Gauls, by the 
god Pan, when under their general Brennus they 
were preparing to pillage the temple of Dclphos. 
Others fuppofed it derived from the circumdance 
of the god Pan’s inhabiting lured.s, in a hole folitary 
fl'ades when bewildered, we are inarmed and terri¬ 
fied at the lealt noife. 

1 he poets relate that the nymphs Echo, Syrinx, 
and Pythis were beloved by the gml Pan. I le 
was rejected by Echo for the beautiful Marcidus, 


E. 


who 



SILENUS AND MIDAS. 



who having feen himfelf in a fountain, was fo ilruck 
with his own form, that he continued gazing on i 
till he languifhed and died. 

Echo, inconfolable for his lofs, pined away with 
grief, but being immortal, (lie prelerved her voire, 
which fhe employs in repeating every thing j] lc 
hears. This fable may be ranked among the 
allegorical. 

Syrinx, a nymph of Arcadia, was in the train of 
Diana. Being one day purfued by the god P.i", 
hie fled for refuge to the river Ladon, her fat As 
who metamorphofed her into a reed. 


Pan having oblerved that the wind in reuniting 
the reeds produced a pleafing found, formed lome 


was called Svrinx. 


of them into a pipe which 
The nymph Pythis was more favourable to the 
v.ows of the god Pan ; but Boreas, jealous of this 
preference, with a blah of his breath precipitated 
her from the top of a rock. 


The gods changed her while falling, 


into 


pine, which tree was confecratcd to the god Pan 


OF SILENUS AND MIDAS. 


Oilenus, fofter-father of Bacchus 
the mod famous of the Satyrs. We lliail ; 
the poetical and hihorical account of this \ 



♦ • J 

i > 


i l 




r-T 



SI LEXUS AND MIDAS. 


*47 


fonage, fo confpicuous in the annals of antiquity. 
Fiction and truth will unavoidably be fome times 
blended toget’e-, but our readers will have no 
difficulty in diibinguifhing them frcm each other. 

Pindar informs us that Silenus was born at 
Malea, or at leaft was brought up there. He is 
generally feen mounted upon an afs, a 1 moll always 
in a Fate of inebriety, with difficulty keeping his 
feat upon the bealt, and following Bacchus, wfiom 
he conftantly accompanied. 

Such is the idea commonly given us by the 
poets of Silenus ■, but he is deferibed by more 
grave authors in a manner much more advan¬ 
tageous. 

They fay that Silenus was a philofopher of great 
learning and wifclom ■, that his pretended intoxi¬ 
cation was myfterious, intended only to exprefs 
his profound meditation when engaged in (ludy. 

The circumftances which led him to remain 
fome time with Midas, gave occafton to feveral 
ftories. 

Bacchus having quitted Thrace, when the un¬ 
happy Pentheus had been torn in pieces by the 
Bacchanalians, came into Lydia, near mount 
Tmolus, famous for its excellent vines. Silenus 
tiled to make excurfions into the country mounted 
upon an al's, and frequently retired to meditate or 
repofc by the fide of a fountain. Midas, king of 
the country, being acquainted with his great abili¬ 
ty 4 ties. 



24S 


SILENUS AND MIDAS. 


ties, and having long wiflied to converfe with him, 
had him conveyed, during his deep, to hisuwnp. 
lace, but being himfelfinitiated into the rnyPauirs < f 
Bacchus, he received Silenus with gr 


V. It V, Jt , 


['v t k 


and detained him only ten days and as many nirrht- 
to receive his inftrufHon and celebrate the o:- i, -. 


.•w 

would uiinlch 


At the expiration of this time, he 
accompany him on his return to Bacchus. lh.: ; : 


hccion begins 




trr * * 

gu 


Bacchus overjoyed at the ifgc 
of his foBer-father, whole abfencc had given 

uneafmeih, promifed Midas whatever I.. 
Ihould demand. Stimulated by a third for ri-J.i-, 
lie defired the power of converting whatever i,: 
fhouiu touch into gold. His requeft was granted, 
but foon he found its fatal confequences. Ifulir 


his hand trees and (tones became gold, but lb 
did likev/ifb the food which lie was prepaiirg m 
eat. Impelled by hunger he again had recount- 
to Bacchus, who told lmn to go and wain in the 
Pr.&olus, and from that lime the fands cf ilui iivi« 
were found inu rmixed with cro Id. In this lminiu 


was hiftory diailgurcd by the poets, bat we hull 
dived it (A its diftmife, and reftorc it to iis Inr- 

1 1 ~ 


t • 

1 \ n 


pneirv. lVlici::-; was king of the country tlmaii.’.li 
which ’Jo: (’acini us 1 ]0\vs; after the deal h ofhb, iaii.c: - , 
Gordius, he preiented to the temple of Dciylics 


a golden chain of ineftimable value, The garni". 


of this prince were very famous, and Siier.us v 


' A 

\ * i 
\ * 1 • l 


ing to fee them, palled forne days with 


iv H K 

l \ k . * I . * ) 



SILENUS AND MIDAS. 


249 


love reign of a rich country, was 
(•.economical even to parfimony. The fale of his 


v, i i o, 


tiro ugh 

J 


C '>rn 

^ j * * * ) 


cattle and wine produced him immenfe 
1 ums, which gave rife to the dory that his touch 
converted everv thing into gold. Being informed 
bv Bacchus and Silenus, that the lands of the 
1 hi dolus contained gold, his avarice changed its 
object; he quitted his rural purfuits, and employed 
his {objects in collecting gold; this occalioned 
the fable, that by wafhing his hands in the Padlo- 
lu.i he hail communicated to it the property of 


prouuung t 
attachment lo riches, neglected 


uoki. Midas, notwithstanding his 

- o 

nothing which 
concerned religion, good laws, or the happinels 
of ids fubjccts. To acquire greater credit and 
authority, he pretended that Silenus inftructed him 
in the myltei ies of the orgies of Bacchus; and 
he undoubtedly profited by his knowledge, and 
was guided by his directions in forming his eft; 1 
blifhmcnts, religious and political. In aid .. 
police of his kingdom, Midas employed 4 •, 

watchful officers; this occafioned it being iui \ 
that he heard at a great dillance, and the dif- 
afleeted deferibed him with the cars of an afs. 
A lew puniffiments which he initialed lilenced 
their injurious refleftions, and this gave rile to a 
fecond allegorical fable, in which it is pretended 
tuat the barber of Midas not daring openly to 
declare that he had feen thefe afs’s cars, confided 

the 



OK FAUX US AND SYLVAN ( .A 


3 AO 


the fccret to a marfhj and that loon after the r;*.;*, 

* 

when agitated by the wind, produced this found; 

c Midas has the ears of an afs.’ That thefe iv.o fables 

are allegorical is evident. The pafiion of Siknus for 

wine, and his introducing the orgies into Lydia, cc 

cafioned him to be reprefented under die f01 m of a 

man intoxicated. Serious authors however fan ih,;'. 

♦ 

the afs upon which he was mounted, was e rod. win a- 

tical of the flow but certain progreis of phiLit j.-.’-.y. 

Some authors confound Silenus with TvLrlVrv, 

+ 

who was the celebrated performer on the Lute ^ 
flayed alive by Apollo for contending with him. 
This error arifes from the circtiniftancc of their 
both being fatyrs, and having lived at the fame 
time. After the death of Silenus he was honoured 
as a demi-god, and had a worfhip inuepeiv.ieiw n 
that paid to Bacchus. 


OF FA UN US AND SYI.VANUS. 



aunus, fon of Picus, lived in fr 
time of Pandion, king of Athens, and war. o r 
temporary with Lvvander and I icrcuk s. 


Tf 

* » 


prince was fo diffmguifhed for hr. I'raviiy a" 1 
wifdom that lie palled for the fon of Mar;. 

The attention which he bellowed on luilhaviry 
procured him the rank of a rural divinity ; ai d 
fle is reprefented under the form of a latyr. 1 leva- 


hippo; 

i- i 


< 1 



I ares and rr.KATES. 251 

** 

foppofcJ to render oracles, but this proceeds 
from the etymology of his name ; pbonetn in Greeic, 
and fart in Latin, fignifying to fpeak. By the 
Romans, Faunia his wife, and Sylvanus his O' n, 
were ciallcd among the rural deities. The 
name is derived Otova/yhciy a fore ft. He prefi a - i 
over woods, and is reprefented in the fame n.an- 
n:T as the fatyrs, who were iuppoled to be his 

brothers. 

Pious, father of Faunus, was an accomplished 
prince ; he efpoufed the beautiful Canens, wh fe 
enchanting portrait is given us by Ovid. Having 
perifhed by an accident when hunti g, and his 
body being never afterwards found, it v as pre¬ 
tended that the cnchantrefs Circe in defpaii at his 
infallibility, had metamorphofed him into a wood¬ 
pecker. Caucus, inconfolable for the lofs of her 
hulhant),' never afterwards fpoke, but retiied from 
human fight to the moll dreary foil ace, As a 
reward for her tendernds, it is pretended that Ihe 
was tranflated to heaven by the Gods. 


OF TilK GODS cAi.u.n LARES, and PENATES. 


These Gods prefidecl over empires, 

cities, highways, houfes, and individuals. I hey 

were divided into Lares Public, Domdlic, Rural, 

l loflile. 



I 


2J2 LARES AND PENATES. 

9 

Hoftile, Marine, and chofe who prefided over the 
Highways. Their number was prodigious, and 
every one chofe his own at pleafure. Amonq; thefe 
Gods were ranked the fouls of thofe who had faith¬ 
fully ferved the ftate ; and families placed atriono- 

o 

them the departed fpirits of their friends and 
relations. Their worfhip confided only in keeping 
little figures in the moft retired part of the 
houfe thence calledLararium. Lamps, the fymbul 
of vigilance, were confecrated to them, and their 
facrifiee was that faithful animal the don-. Vflnn 
an infant quitted the ornament called bulla, it 
was depofited at the feet of chefe do medic deities: 
and when a Roman family received any or.e by 
adoption (which was a circumftance very common) 
the magiflrates appointed thofe who were to attend 
to the worfhip of the Lares, whom the adopted 
child feemed to have abandoned. 


During the public feafts of thefe divinities, which 

* 

were called Compitalida, little waxen figures 
were fufpended in the flreets, and the Lares and 
Penates were entreated to make thefe 


cite only 


Penates 


objects of their difpleafure. 

The Romans fuppofed the Lares and 
defendants of Jupiter and Lambda. The re- 
femblance between the names of Lares and Lsr- 
m id a, and the ignorance of their real origin, were 
the only caufesofthis genealogy. Ir appears that 
their worfhip was brought by dime as fiom Phrygia. 

'lie 


« 



LARES AND PENATES. S 53 

% 

The I .ares and Penates of Laban, called in Scrip¬ 
ture Tcraphim, were carried away by his fon-in- 
iaw Jacob. The Genii were likewife ranked 
among thefe divinities. Every man had two, one 
author of all good, the other of all evil. 

Women had likewife their Genii, which were 
called Junones : Thefe Genii were not fuppofed 
to be pofiefled of equal power; the genius cf 
Antony was faid to dread the genius of Auguftus. 
They are reprefented as young men holding in 
one hand a drinking vefifel, and in the other a horn 
of plenty. Sometimes they appear under the 
form of ferpents. The forehead was principally 
confecrated to them. 

All perfons invoked their genius, particularly 
on their natal day. The ground was ftrewed 
with flowers, and wine was offered to them in 
cups. Every place had its particular genius. 
An opinion prevailed, that the whole univerfe 
abounded in fpirits who regulated its movements. 
Plato, who mod enlarged this fyftem, fpeaks of 
Gnomes, Sylphs, and Salamanders. The firff: 
inhabited the earth; the fecond, air ; the third, fire; 
but let us leave to the tales of the fairies the 

of particularly deferibing them. 



INFERNAL 



INFERNAL DEITIES. 




INFERNAL DEITIES. 


nri 


1 he idea of a god who purifies vice 


and rewar is virtue, is coeval with the woijj. 
The Ill'll man received it from the Almighty ! 1 iin_ 
felf, and has o anfinitted it to his pofteriiy. ] n 
proportion as the diftarce from the originals in- 
creaftd, ideas became conform led, traditions cor¬ 
rupted, and idolatry reared its head ; but the dif¬ 
ference between vice and virtue was fo forcihlv 

# 

feit by fmic men 'A fuperior wifdom to the red, 
that they e.ndeav jui ed carefully to preferve this 
nemfiry re id mint, which alone can prevent gene¬ 
ral c irruption. The more we examine into 

✓ 

ancient traditions, the more clearly we per¬ 
ceive the ur.ivi.rfal belief in tire immortality of 

i 


the foul 


The moff criminal of all errors 


could alone wife doubts on this important innh; 
but they are fo fully cbntradibied by tire gore nil 
voice of every confidence, and every mui' 1 !., that 

to combat them is unneceflary. 

Philofophers of every age have confirmed rids 
truth, and poets by their delcriptioiis have endea¬ 
voured as much as pofilble to diftiile it. 

We learn from a fragment of Diodorus Siculm, 
that the poetical fyftem of the infernal regions ua> 
taken entirely from the cufloms adopted by 1 lK ‘ 
Kgypiians before the interment of their dead. 




Mercury 


chaire 




INFERNAL DEITIES. 


2 55 

of departed fpirits, was the pried; whofe office it 
was to receive the body of a deceafed apis-, by 
him it was conducted to a fecond prieft, who 
wore a mafic reprefenting three heads, like thofe 
afcribed by the poets to Cerberus. The fecond 
prieft tranfported it acrofs the ocean, ailing as 
ferryman, and carried it to the city of the Sun, 
whence ic was, conveyed into the happy re¬ 
gions, inhabited by the fouls of the bldtcd. The 
ocean, continues Diodorus, was the Nile itfelf, 
to which the Egyptians gave that name. The 
city of the Sun was Heliopolis. The happy re¬ 
gions here mentioned were the beautiful plains 
fituated in the environs of the lake Acherufa near 
Memphis. Here terminated the proceffion, and 
here were interred the dead bodies of theEgyptians. 

In all funeral ceremonies, the firitftep was to fix 
the clay appointed for the interment ; of this the 
judges were firft informed, and afterwards the 
relations and friends of the deceafed. 

His name was proclaimed in the moft public 
manner, and notice given that he was about to 
pafs the lake. Immediately forty judges afiem- 
bled, and proceeded to the banks of the lake, 
where they fenced themfclves in the form of a 
circle. A barge was brought by the alliftants, 
and the pilot, called by the Egyptians Charon, 
took his ftation at the helm. Before the coffin 
was placed upon the barge, all thofe who had been 

3 injured 



INTERNAL DEITIES. 


256 

injured by the deceafed were permitted to pre¬ 
fer their complaints. 

Kinos themfelves were not exempt from 'd,h 
cuftom, and if there appeared to be juft green- 
for the accuiation, the judges pronounced fen tenor, 
by which the dead body was deprived of the rin-s. 
of feotilturej but he who could not fubftairdat: 
his charge was liable to a heavy punifhmcm, 
When no accufation was 



, the relations 

of the deceafed laid afide their mourning, and 
commenced his funeral oration j beginning with 
his infancy and taking a furvey of his wmk life, 
they extolled his juftice, piety and coutg: 
befousht the infernal deities to adrr.it If " id 


the abodes of the blefled. 1 his was Gii.mm . 
the applaufes of the attendants, v/ho linked f: 
praifes, and felicitated him on having m imf ■ 
paffage to eternity in peace and glmy. 

Such were the ceremonies which. Chp.e.v . . 
feen praclifed among the Egyptians, a.a ’ , ■ 
which he founded his delcription 01 


? ’ . t - ' ' 

• * * ‘ 


regions 


making fuch additions as v, err •: 


• v 


ble to the Grecian cuftoms. Th.e lame . 
adds, that to perpetuate their iiluilnc 
they frequently embalmed their ancc.. • 
kept them in their houlcs. So great w. 




dead, t... 


u > 


f' 

* a 4 


di.M 


IV- 


.(•V 


fped of the Egyptians (or the 
often preierved the bodies of thole who, f •' 11 u! 
or fome crime, were denied the rites ol be!: d; 





I 


INFERNAL DEITIES 


m 


and when their defcendants became rich and 
powerful, they difcharged the obligations of their 
anceftors, cleared their memory from imputation, 
and interred them honourably. Embalmed bodies 
were fometimes given as fecurity for fums bor- 

4 

rowed, and not unfrequently even their own 
bodies; when thofe who failed in their engage¬ 
ments were devoted to infamy during their lives, 
and deprived of the honour of burial at their 
death. Notwithftanding the profound darknefs in 
which thefe ages were involved, it was generally 
believed, that after death the material body was 
refolved into duft and allies but that the foul, the 
fpiritual part of man, returned to heaven. The 
Pagans diflinguilhed the foul from the mind. 
The former they regarded as the receptacle of the 
latter, and fuppofed, that when feparated from the 
body, it defcended into the infernal regions. The 
poets were not agreed upon the time which de¬ 
parted fpirits were to pafs in the Elyfian fields; 
lonie fixed it at a thou (and years; but all regarded 
the punilhment of Tartarus as eternal. 

e think it incumbent on us to give the idea 
which the ancients entertained of Tartarus, which 
"c finill do by a fhort quotation from Virgil. 



infernal regions. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE INFERNAL REGIONS. 


Before the gate of the infernal regions 
Pain and Sorrow have efhiblifhed their abode. 
Here is the refidence of pallid Difeafe, melancholy 
Old Age, Terror, Hunger the fuggeftor of fo 
many crimes. Labour, Death, and Sleep his bro¬ 
ther. Here alfo is found War and Difcord, whole 
fnaky locks are bound up with gory bands. Near 
this monfber are feen the Furies’ iron beds. A 
hundred other monikers befiege the avenue to this 
fatal habitation. Such is the dcfcription of Aver- 
nus, the firft entrance to the infernal regions. Near 
this difrnal cavern is a road leading to Acheron. 
Hither refort from all parts thofe fouls who are to 
pafs that river, when Charon receives into his bark 
thofe who have received the honours of burial; 
but inexorable to thofe who have not, they wander 
for a century on its folitary bank. 

After having palled the river, another gate 
leading to the palace of Pluto prefents idelt; 
this is guarded by Cerberus, a monfter with three 
heads, one of which is conflantly watching. On 
entering this feat of terror, we firft delcry the 
fouls of thofe who expired as foon as born; the 
next we come to arc thofe deprived of life by an 


unj 


hilt 





I.s'rr.HN'AL R E G! O Sf S . 


»59 


unjuft fentcnce, or who terminated themfelv.es 
their own exiftence. A little beyond, wandering' 
in a foreft of myrtle, are the fouls of lovers, 
victims to cruelty and defpair. On leaving thefe, 
we arrive at the abode of heroes* who nobly 
perifned in the field of battle. Not far from this 
is feen the tribunal where juftice is difpenfed by 
Minos, JEacus and Rhadamanthus. vEacus and 
Rhadamanthus pronounce judgment, and Minos 
approves or alters it. 

A frightful noife attracts attention, and difeovers 
the dreary Tartarus, the eternal prifon, round which 
the flaming Phlcgcthon rolls his boiling wavesj 
atid Cocycus with its infectious miry marfhes fur- 
rounds it on every fide. . . 

Three maiTy walls with gates of folid brafs, le 

cure {till more this feat of forrow. Vain is evafion* 

vain the hope to efcape front hence by flight.. 

There every flop is watched by dire Tifiphone* 

chief of the furies, who, with her lifters, lafltes with' 

whips of fcorpions the guilty wretch when judged 

b) Rhadamanthus. No reft, no peace they find; 
but woe unending. 

•Such is in part the defeription Virgil gives of 

the Infernal Regions. He adds that of the Elyfian- 

hields, which he reprefents crowned with an eter¬ 
nal fpring. 






lc iS eaf y t0 perceive, that thefe Greek and' 
toman fables are only an imitation of the Egyp- 


s 2 


turn 



INFERNAL DEITIES. 


c6ov 

dan ceremonies, which they have embellifhed with 
the ornaments of poetry. 


PLUTO, CERES, PROSERPINE AND OTHER 

INFERNAL DEITIES. 

Pluto, third fon of Saturn and Ops, with 
Proferpine governed the Infernal Regions. 

His principal names were Dis, Ades, Urgus 
and Februus. Dis and Ades, fignify riches, over 
which he prelided, becaufe they were contained 
in the bowels of the earth. Urgus, comes from 
the Latin word urgere, to impel; becaufe he con¬ 
stantly urged mortals towards their diffolution; 
and Februus, comes from Februare , to perform 
purifications, which were always performed m 
funeral ceremonies. The feeptre of Pluto was 
an infixument with two points; in his hand lie 
held the keys of his empire, to exprefs, that from 
thence none ever returned. The viftims offered 
to him were generally black fheep. Pluto was 
the youngeft of the brothers of Jupiter. In the 
divifion of the world he had the eaftern countries, 
which extend to the ocean, and fixed his refidencc 
in the moft remote part of Spain. He there 
dilcovered mines of gold and filver. As to work 
tbefc it is necefiary to defeend into the earth, i r - 



INFERNAL DEITIES. 



•was pretended that he had penetrated to the 
Infernal Regions, and taken pofieflloii of them. 

Though Plutus was likewife the god of riches, 
he muft not be confounded with Pluto, a divinity 
by far his fuperior. Plutus was the fon of Ceres 
and Jafon; like Fortune he was reprefented 
blind, to fhow that riches are difpenfed to both 
good and bad. 

The deformity of Pluto, and the gloominefs of 
his dominions, having procured him a repulfe 
from all the goddeffes, he complained to his bro¬ 
ther Jupiter, who gave him permiflion to choofe 
which he pleafed. Alarmed at the repeated fhocks 
which proceeded from mount ./Etna, he was afraid 
left by fome aperture light fhould penetrate into 
his empire. To inform himfelf more particularly 
he paid a vifit to Sicily, and it was in this excur- 
fton he met with Proferpine, daughter of Ceres. 
This princefs, attended by her companions, was 
amufing herfell with gathering flowers, whenfhe 
was perceived and carried off by Pluto. Cyane 
endeavouring to oppofe him, was changed into 
a fountain; and the fovereign of hell opening the 
earth with a blow of his feeptre, difappeared in an 
inftant, carrying with him the daughter of Ceres. 

We have already feen in the hiftory of that 
goildcfs, the excels of her forrovv, and the coun- 


ciies Jhe traverfed in fearch of her loft child. 

I hat the Ceres of the Greeks was the fame as 


s 3 


the 



INFERNAL DEITIES. 




v 


the Egyptian Ifis, there remains no doubt; their 
myfteries were the fame, and they were introduced 
among the former by oriental colonies. 

During the reign of Ereftheus there happen.-.! 
a dreadful famine in Greece. This was particu¬ 
larly felt by the Athenians, whole foil was natural!-,- 

infertile. Eredtheus formed the refolutior. of 

► 

fending into Egypt, from whence his enrinaiits 
returned with a great quantity of corn, and the 
method of cultivating it; they at the fame time 
brought with them the worfhip of the divinity 

O x 

who prefided over agriculture. The calamity 
they had juft fufrered, and the fear of feeing it 
again return, engaged them to adopt the myfterirs 
of this goddefs. At the fame time thefe religious 
ceremonies were received by Triptolemus, king 
of Eleufis, who would himfelf be prieft of Ceru 
or Ifis; and as a mark of gratitude for the return 
of plenty, by means of agriculture, in affi fling hit 
neighbours he carefully inftrudied them in the 

ZD 

labours of Ceres, and endeavoured to introduce 

her worfhip among them. 

This is the origin of the fable concernin 
and Triptolemus. It was pretended that Ceres 
came from Sicily to Athens; and added, that hn 

daughter Proferpine was carried off by violence, 

becaufc for fomc time they experienced adearw 

of provifions. Pluto was fuppofed to have taken 

her to the infernal regions, to exprefs the rune 

%s!;i< 


g Ceres 



transmigration. 


263 

which the feed remained in the earth ; and Jupiter 
is reprefented reconciling this difference between 
Pluto and Ceres, to ibow the return of plenty and 

fertility. 

Some learned men are of opinion that Ceres 
was queen of Sicily, that fhe went to Attica to 
inftrudt Triptolemus in the art of hufbandry, and 
that it was her daughter who was carried off by 
Pluto king of Spain, 

The rape of Proferpine is Iikewife fuppofed to 
be an allegory, intended to reprefent the feafon 
during which the grain remains in the earth, and 
that in which it vegetates. 


OF TRANSMIGRATION. 


When fouls had left the body which 
they animated, they were by Mercury conducted 
either to Tartarus or the Elyfian Fieldsj the 
wicked to the former, the jult to the latter. It 
was almoft univerfaily believed, that after remain¬ 
ing a thoufand years in thofe delightful abodes, 
the foul returned upon earth to animate other 
bodies, either of men or animals. Before they 
quitted the infernal regions they drank the waters 
of Lethe, which had the property of effacing from 
the memory pad events. 

s 4 This 





JUDGES OF THE INFERNAL REGIONS, 


This idea owes its 


origin, to the E 


gypriam 


it is in imitation of them that Orpheus, Homer 
and other poets, have introduced it into their 


writings. 


OF THE JUDGES OF THE INTERNAL RE¬ 
GIONS, FURIES AND FATES. 

Three judges examined at their tribunal 
the fouls conducted by Mercury to the infernal 


regions. 


Minos, king of Crete, and fen of Aflerius, wi¬ 


the firft. 


Ele wifhed to be thought the lbn oi 


Jupiter and Europa, and to obtain this, he pro- 
mifed to facrifice to Neptune the firft objeft. lie 
ftiould receive from the ocean. 


At that inftant he faw a beautiful white bull ma 


ke 


to land. Unwilling to facrifice fo fine an animal, he 
preferved it for the head of his flock. Neptune 
incenfed, revenged himfclf on Minos by in foiling; 


his family with troubles and misfortunes. I’ali- 
phae his wife involved him in dreadful calamities. 
He had by her three fons, and two daughters, 
much celebrated, Phaedra and Ariadne ; we ilul! 
give the hiftory of tliefe females when we come to 
treat of the demi-gods. 

Rhadamanthus was likewife fuppofed to be the 

fon of Jupiter and Europa. Obliged to fly from 

1 Crete 



JURIES AND TATES. 


21 6,5 

Crete for having killed his brother, he retired to 
CEchalia, a city ofBteotia, where he married Alc- 
mena, widow of Amphitryon. 

dEacus, fon of Jupiter and dEgina, daughter of 
A fop us, was fovereign of the ifland Delos; by 
iiis fecond wife, who was daughter to the cen¬ 
taur Chiron, he had Telamon and Peleus. His 
fir ft wife, pfammathe, daughter of Nereus, 
brought him phocus. 

Rhadamanthus was appointed judge of the Afia- 
tics; Aiacus of the Europeans; and Minos, fuperior 
to both, was fupreme judge, and determined all 
doubtful cafes. The tribunal was held in a place 
called the Pield of Truth ; which Falfehood and 
Calumny could not approach. The fuperi- 
ority of Minos was marked by a feeptre which he 
held in his hand, and near him was feen an urn, 
containing the fentences pafied upon mortals, who, 
when guilty, were delivered over to the fmics 
for punifhmcnt. Thele furies were three in nuni- 


l: 


jer 


Me 


Tiwy were find to be daughters of Cupid and 
Nox. 1 heir names liguiiv, rage, flaughtcr, 
.uvl envy. I hey are repreiented with flaminu' 


toiches in their hands, lnakes lnfluau o( hair, and 

a whip of lerpi nts. 

1 lie Greeks named them Erynnes, which fig- 
'idits difturhers of the mind. They were like- 

I 1 ” 


'•'de called KiNiionklcs, 


Mine 



?66 


NEMESIS, THE .MANES, 

appeafed them, and they had ceafed to torment 
Orcftes, who had flain his mother.—The three 
Fates were likewile inhabitants of the infernal re¬ 
gions ; they were the daughters of NecefTitv. h 

W 

was they who fpun the days and deftiny of man. 
The youngcft, named Clotho, held the cl i ft a h}' ; 
Lachefis turned the lpindle, and Atropos, with 
her fatal feiffars, . cut the thread of life. The 
poets laid, that they fpun happy days with gold 
and filver, and days of forrow with black worlled. 

The Fates are reprefented as three old women 
worn down with years. 

Clotho, in a robe of different colours, wore 
a crown of feven ftars upon her head, and in her 
hand fbe held a diftaff, reaching from heaven to 
earth. The robe of Lachefis was covered with 
ftars, and near her lay a number of fpindles. 

Atropos, clothed in black, held the fcifiars, 
and round her were n urn be riels fpindles, more 01 
lefts full, according to the long or fhort duration 

J o o 

of life. 


07 ’.'TAILSIS, 'ITIF. MANKS, NOX, SOXiNl 5. 


AND MOTS. 


Nemesis prefided over the punilhment of 

4 

crimes. She traverfed the earth with .great vi 



KOX, SOMNUS, AND MORS- Q.Gj 

gihncc in fcarch of the wicked, whom (he pur¬ 
ged even to the (hades below, and punifhed with. 

inflexible feverity. 

She was rep re fen ted with wings, a helm, and a 
chariot wheel, to (how that no place can fecure 
the miiltv from her indefatigable purfuit. As 
daurhter of Juttice (lie rewarded virtue, but 

U ) 

pumlhcti, with rclcntlcfs hand, impiety* 

The o-ods Manes were not clearly diftinpuifhed 
by the ancients; they were frequently confounded 
with the fouls of the dead, and fometimes with 
the gods Lares. Thefe divinities however pre- 
(ided over funerals, and departed fpirits, who were 
fuppofed to wander about the tombs. 

Nox, or Night, was daughter of Chaos, (he 
was reprefented in a long black veil befpangled 
with (bars, traverfing the vail expanfe of the 
firmament in a chariot of ebony ; fometimes (lie 
is feen without a chariot, wearing a veil which 
floats in the air, as (he approaches the earth, to 
extinguish a torch which (lie held in her hand. 

Somnus, or Sleep, Ion to Nox, and brother of 
Mors or Death, is reprefented under the figure of 
a child in a profound Deep, holding in one hand 
poppies, which likewife fi rve for his pillow ; 
aikI near him is aveilcl full of foporiferous liquor. 

Mors, or Death, daughter of Nox, and fitter 
io Somnus, is reprefented under the hideous form 
o! a tt:deton j her black robe is covered with 

liars. 



268 


CHARON', CERBERUS, 


liars, {he has wings of an enormous length, and 
her flefhlefs arm is furnifhed with a fcythe. 


OF CHARON, CERBERUS, AND THE RIVERS 


OF HELL. 


Charon, whofe name fignifies anguiily 
was, according to the poets, fon ofNox and 
Erebus. 


His difpofitionwas gloomy and fevere. Ncitlin 
dignities nor riches obtained refpedl from liim. 
Charged with the care of tranfporting fouls to 
the infernal regions, he was inflexible in reject¬ 
ing thofe who had not received the rights of bu¬ 
rial. A century they wandered on this lonely 
bank before they gained admiflion to his fatal 
bark. So perfuaded were people that he would 
require a pafiage fee, that they always placed a 
piece of money under the tongues of the dead, 
This piece of money was called naulum : lor 
kings it was generally gold. It was ncecliary 


likewife to have an attefltation of the good lir< 


4 * * 


k. 


conduct of the deceafed under the hand of the 


high-pricfh 

W'e have received from the ancients the furin 
of this attention : 

“ I Amitius Sextus, high-pricfl, do certify, 

“ tb.u 



AND THE RlYhRS OF HEl-I- 


26^ 


5C that the life and conduct of N. has been 
perfe&ly unexceptionable. Let his 


cc 


(C 


Manes 


enjoy peace 


7 7 


Who 


- 

This cultom was an exa<5t imitation of that of 
the Egyptians. 

Cerberus, guardian of the infernal regions, had 
three heads j for hair his neck was furrounded 
with fnakes. He fprung from Typhon and Echidna. 

When Orpheus went to requeft of Pluto the 
reftitution of his wife Eurydice, he lulled this 
monfter to Deep with his lyre, 
defeended to thele dreary manfions to deliver 
Alcefte, he bound Cerberus and compelled him 
to follow him. It is laid that palling through 
Theflaly, the fight of day made him vomit his 
venom upon the grafs, which rendered it mortal 
to whatever tailed it. This fable alludes to the 
vaft quantity of poilbnous herbs which that coun¬ 
try produces. The fable of Cerberus was like- 
wife founded upon acuftom of the Egyptians, who 
guarded their dead by means of maftifFs. 

There were five principal rivers in the domi¬ 
nions of Pluto. The firfh was Acheron, driven 
there for having quenched the thii ll of the Titans 
in their war again it Jupiter. Its name figniHes 
anguilh or howling. This river is in Thelprotia, 


♦ ♦ 


riles m the marlli of Aclierulii, and empties it fell 
into the Adriatic Gulph near Atnbracia. The 
lecond is Cocytus, which fignifies tears, groans; 


it 



CHARON, CERBERUS, &C. 


270 

it is faid to be formed by the tears of the cv<: : . 
demned. This . was likewife a river of Fpirtr. 
or rather Thefprotia, emptying itfclf into rh.c 
marfla Acherufa ; it was rather a miry pool than 
a river. 

Styx is the third—This is a fountain of Arc;/:'; 
which flows from a rock, and forms a rivulet 
which finks under ground. Its water was A ;> 
poifonous quality, which occafioned the pm- •., 
fay, that it was one of the rivers of hell. 


dantriucr 


Fabulous hiftory makes Styx a 
Oceanus, and mother of Victoria or V id Lory. /■:: 
aihfted Jupiter in his war with the Titans. 

The Hydra was faid to be her offspring. • 
much terror did her name infpire, that the m/t 
inviolable oath was fworn by the river Styx. 'I he 
gods themfelvcs could not infringe it j if they did, 
Jupiter commanded Iris to prefent them with .1 
cup, filled with the waters of this fountain, dh- 
miifcd them from his table during twelve month', 
and even deprived them of their divinity for nine 
years. When {'wearing by this river, they ]»hio 1 
one hand upon the earth, and the other upi 


jn the 


ocean. 


The word Styx flgnifies water of lilence. 


• 1 

1 11*: 


waters of this ftream were iikcwifc ided cvr lAC 

• •• 

purpofe of determining the innocence or gu’.li w 

acc tried performs. Thde are the principal o.ruin 

< 

ilances which gave rife to the Hones concern : 1 p, 

i ! i ; > 



ELYSIAN HELM. 


this river. In general all waters of a poifonous 
quality were accounted rivers of hell. It was the 
lame with Avernus, a lake of Italy, near Pozzuoli, 
and Lethe, or the river of Oblivion, fituated in 
Africa. The poets attributed to the latter the 
property of inducing an oblivion of pad: events. 
This conftituted the fourth.—Phlegethon, which 
was the fifth, had waves of flaming fire. The 
waters of this marfli exhaled fulphureous vapours, 
and its mud was hot and burning, which caufed ic 
to be clafled among the infernal rivers. 


OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS. 

We fliall not enter into a particular de- 
fcription of the Elyfian Fields; each poet dc- 
i'cribes them according to his own imagination, 
and invents whatever he thinks moil capable of 
pleading, leaving his readers likewife at liberty to 
make their own additions. We lhailonly obferve, 
that the ancients generally placed tilde happy 
manfions in the ides now called the C anaries. It F 
probable, that the idea of the Fly linn Fields was 
full taken from the tradition of the tcrrdlri.il 

panuliJe. 



\VORSHIP OR THE INFERNAL DLXTIF.:, 



OF THE WORSHIP PAID TO THE INTERN \ 

DEITIES. 


T 


ere 


ever raifedj they were referved for the tem-flrui 
and marine deities, who were called fuperior p;ods, 
as thofe of the infernal regions were called inferior. 
Trenches were made, into which was pound the 
blood of victims, which were always of a blac!: 
colour. The prieft during the prayers lmu-kd 
his hands towards die earth, inftead of railing linn 
towards heaven. Being regarded as inipia.'; h, 
thele divinities were in general the objeds ot R-ar 
and averfion : never were they implored for thv:r 
affiftance; to appeafe them was all that was f u-ght. 
No hymns were compofed to their lionoui, no 
temples dedicated to them, nor any advantage 
expected from the prayers addrefled to them. 1 E h 
power in hell was equally abfolutc with tint of 

Jupiter in heaven." 


OF THE PRINCIPAL CR'MINALS lU.'NI.'-l;i 1 > 

IN THE INFERNAL REGIONS. 



*"1 up. Titans were precipitated into L'.i 

9 I 

tarns for having waged war again{l Jupitei. 

fable deferibes them whelmed under mount. /Yam. 

Tv[dioiu 



273 


CRIMINALS PUNISHED, &C. 

Typhon, the moll enormous of them, lies ftretched 
under Sicily; his right arm anfwering to PeloruS 
ficuated towards Italy, and his left to Pachinurm 
towards the caff: his feet are to the weft, towards 
Lvbia. Ovid attributes the earthquakes which 
happen in Sicily to the druggies he makes to 
uifenmme himfelf; and the eruptions of mount 

CD CD 

/Etna, are his efforts ftill to aflault heaven. 
Sifyphus is compelled to roll an enormous ftone 
to the top of a mountain, whence it defeends 
the moment it touches the fummit. He was 
a ecu fed of having attempted to deceive Pluto, 
and by returning upon earth to render himfelf 
hr mortal. We learn from hiftory, that during his 
youth he recovered from a dangerous diforder, 
and afterwards lived to an advanced age. Sal- 
moneus, king.of Elis, wifhed to be thought equal 
to Jupiter; by driving a chariot lighted with flam¬ 
beaus over a brazen bridge, he attempted to imi¬ 
tate thunder; but Jupiter with this formidable 
weapon drove him headlong into Tartarus. 

Phlegyas, for having burnt the temple of Apollo, 
fees an enormous rock fulpended over his head, 
and ready by its fall to crufh him to pieces. His 
eternal lamentations ferve to terrify the fouls of 
the guilty. 

1 he giant Tityus, whofe body extended over 

♦ 

nine acres, having dared infult Latona, Apollo 
few him with his arrows, and caff him into the 

T infernal 



274 


CRIMINALS PUNISHES 


infernal regions, where a vulture continually p re y 3 
upon his liver. We muft remark, that the nine 
acres covered by the body of Tityus, fignify that 
the place allotted fof his burial contained nine 

acres. 

Ixion having carried his preemption fo far as 
to declare himfelf rival to Jupiter, was hurled 
headlong into hell, and bound fall to a wheel fur- 
rounded with ferpents. 

Tantalus, king of Phrygia, was fon to Jupiter 
and the nymph Plota. His crime is differently 
reported; fome fay that he difcovered to the 
river Afopus the place where Jupiter had con¬ 
cealed his daughter iEgina, when he carried 
her off; others, that he fuffered a dog to be 
ftolen that Jupiter had confided to his care, 
and which guarded his temple on the ifiand of 
Crete; others again fay, that having been ad¬ 
mitted to the table of the gods he had divulged 
their fecrets, and ftolen netftar to regale his friends; 
but the general opinion of his offence was as fol¬ 
lows: The gods having honoured Tantalus with 
a vifit, he wiihed to try if they could deteft an 
impofition; for this purpofe he barbaroufly mur¬ 
dered his fon Pelops, and intermixed his limbs 
with the difhes that were ferved up to the gods. 
At fight of this horrible repaft they teftified their 
indignation; but Ceres was fo wholly taken up with 
grief for the lofs of her daughter Profcrpine, that 



IN TI1E INFERNAL REGIONS. 



flie did not perceive the fraud, and eat one ihoulder 


The gods reftored PelOps to life, and Jupiter 
replaced with a fhoulder of ivory that which had 
been eaten by Ceres. To puniffi Tantalus for 
this twofold offence againft the gods, and againft 
the tendernefs of a parent, he was driven to the 
infernal regions, where he continually experienced 
the moft parching third; and ravenous hunger. 
To increafe his punifhment, he is plunged in water 
up to the chin, but no fooner does he attempt to 
quench his third than the water retires. The 
moft tempting viands furround him on every fide, 
but retreat beyond his reach on his offering to 
grafp them. The learned are of different opinions 
concerning the explanation of this fable ; fome 
think it an allegory defcriptive of avarice. Tan¬ 
talus perifhing in the midft of the greateft plenty, 
reprefents the mifer, who, loath to leflen his riches, 
fuffers himfelf to pine with want and mifery; but 
we have no explanation of the barbarity of Tan¬ 
talus, nor does hiftory mention any thing fatisfac- 
tory concerning the murder of Pelops. 

Among the principal criminals we mull remark 
the Danaides, condemned to fill with water a tub 
which has no bottom. The ftory of this fjpecies 
of puniffiment, has no other foundation than the 
cuftom obii-rved by the Egyptians at Memphis. 
Near the lake of Acherula, beyond which was the 
burial place of the dead, the priefts poured water 

t 2 into 




CRIMINALS PUNISHED, &C, 


276 


into a tub without a bottom, to exprefs the impofn. 
bility of returning to life. The account piv.vn e; 
by the poets of the crime by which the Dauaidw 
incurred this punifhment, is as follows : 


IE 


J 


were ue- 
Ah'gvptus 


took poffeflion of the kingdom, which ever after 
bore his name. Danaus, his brother, being to;ccd 
to fly, affernbled his followers, and arriving near 
Argos, attacked and dethroned Sthenehb king of 
that country, 
daughters. H 


different wives lie 


V 


had 


• * - k4 . 

DUv 


M 


like wife had 


fifty fons. Thefe princes hearing of the power 
and good fortune of Danaus, demanded and ob¬ 
tained his daughters in marriage; but this con¬ 
queror of Argos, cruel and lufpicious, having 
learned from the oracle that he fhould expire by 
the hands of one of his fons in law, and eager to 

J o 

revenge the injuries lie had received from Ids 
brother, Tfigyptus, ordered his daughters to nv.i'ia- 
cre their hufbands the firfb night of their nuptials 
All but Hyper none fira obeyed this bad'amm 
injunftion. She informed her hufband, I.ynce::, 
of it, who fled to Lyrceum, not far from Am .. 
and Ihe eicaped to Larill'a. On their arrival in 
thefe two cities, they placed lighted flambeau 
the top of the highell towers, to floow that 
were out of danger. 

Lynceus afterwards aflembled troops, made war 

upon 


1 on 
thev 



PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 


2 77 


upon Danaus and gained pofieffion of his throne. 

The poets to record this hiftorical fafr, and 
embellifli it according to their cuftom, invented 
the punifhmcnt of the Danaides, as we have jolt 
related it. Welikewife find in Tartarus, Guhptis, 
Eteocles, Polynices, Thefeus and fcveral others of 
whom wc fir all lpcak under the article of heroes 
and denri-gods. 


DIVINITIES OF A PARTICULAR SPECIES 



vifloriotis if one o 


o enumerate and dcfcribe all the ohfcurc 
divinities of the ancients, would be impoffible. 
They deified virtues, paffions, blcflings and misfor¬ 
tunes ■, we fhall only fpeak of thofe mod generally 
known. 

The Greeks honoured felicity under the name 
of Eudomia, or Macaria. The Athenians hav¬ 
ing learned from the oracle that they fhould be 

f the children of Hercules 
fhould voluntarily die. Macaria, who was his 
daughter, made that facrifiee, and the Athe¬ 
nians having conquered, out of gratitude ho¬ 
noured her as a divinity, under the name of Maca- 
tia, which fignifies happinels. It was not till long 
after the foundation of Rome that this deity was 
acknowledged by the Romans. J.ucullus railed 
a temple to her, after the war with Mithridates 

t;j and 



278 


particular species of divinities. 


and Tigranes. She was reprefented as a queen, 
feated upon a throne, holding a horn of plenty 
with this infeription: 


“ THE PUBLIC HAPPINESS. 


>7 


Hope, the lad refource of mortals againf: the 
evils which opprefs them, was foon transformed 
into a divinity. By the Greeks fhe was honoured 
under the name of Elpis; by the Romans fire was 
Called Spes Publica, the Public Plope. Cicero 
fays that Hope was immortal, and that none but 
the virtuous had any claim to her afliftance. At 
Rome fhe had feveral temples. She is reprefented 
with a horn of plenty, fruits, flowers and a bee¬ 
hive j mariners reprefented her leaning upon an 
anchor. Eternity had neither temples nor altars; 
fhe was Amply reprefented under the figure of an 
old woman, with an infeription importing, that 


her name was Eternity 


In her hand fine held a 


head, reprefeniing the fun furrounded with rays, 
or one reprefenting the moon, becaufe thefe were 
fuppofed to be eternal. She was reprefented un¬ 
der the form of a phoenix, an imaginary bird 
which receives new life from its own allies; lonv-- 

times under that of a globe, becaufe it lias no 

| | * 

limits; frequently as a ferpenr, which by joining 
its tail to its mouth forms a circle; and not unite• 
quently under that of an elephant, from the lone 
life of that animal; which lliows the faint idei 

\vlv r 



PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 279 

which the ancients had of eternity. All the ge¬ 
nealogies of their gods prove that they could 
not conceive the divinity without beginning or 

without end. 

Time was reprefented by Saturn: he is painted 
with wings, to fhow how rapidly he paffes, and 
with a fcythe, expreflive of the ravages he makes. 
There were feveral divifions of time; ages; gene¬ 
rations, or the fpace of thirty years; luftra, or the 
fpace of five years; the year and feafons: of the 
latter there were originally but three, fummer, au¬ 
tumn and winter; to thele was added fpring. The 
poets perfonified day break, fun rife, noon, evening, 
twilight and night, each of which was reprefented 
by a male or female, according as its name was 
mafculine or feminine. 

Thought was deified, and invoked to prdent 
only good ideas to the mind. 

Every fpecies of piety received divine honours. 
M. Attilius Glabrio raifed a temple to filial piety, 
on the foundation of that houfe which had been 
inhabited by the Roman lady who had nourilhed 
her father in prifon. 

The Athenians railed altars to Companion, the 
Romans imitated them and gave thefe temples the 
name of Afylum. Virtue, which can alone infure 
happinefs, was adored by the ancients, and we yet 
find in the fourth book of the city of God, by St. 

T 4 Auguftine, 



f 


fiSo PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 


Augulline, fome traces of the worffiip which was 
rendered to it. 


Scipio, who deftroyed Numantia, firft confecratcd 

a temple to this divinity. Marcellus wi/hed to 

9 

unite in the fame temple Virtue and Honour, but 
on confuting the priefts, they declared that two 
fuch great divinities could not be contained in one 

• o 

temple: in confequence Marcellus conftrucled tv,o, 
adjoining to each other, fo that to enter the temple 
of Honour it was neceffary to pafs tlirongli the 
temple of Virtue; this was intended to fnow, that 
true honour is only to be attained by viituous 
means. In all facrifices to Honour, the head was 


uncovered, and every mark of the moft profound 
refpeft obferved. Truth was fuppofed to be the 
mother of Virtue, and daughter of Time; fie was 
reprefer.ted as a young virgin covered with a robe 
white as fnow. 


Democritus, to exprefs the difficulty of diico- 
vering it, faid, that truth lay concealed at the bot¬ 
tom of a well. 


Concord, Peace and Tranquillity, were three 

different goddelles. The authority of Concord 

extended over houfes, families and cities; that or 

Peace over empires. Suetonius fays, that in the 

temple of Peace were depoficed the riches brought 

from the temple of Jerufalem. In the fame temple 

they likewife affembled all thofe who profeffed the 

arts, 



PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 



arts, when they had their rights and privileges to 


maintain, 


difo 


all heat and animofity by the prefence of the god- 


defs of Peace. 

She was rep rc fen ted under the form of a woman, 
crowned with laurel, olive and rofes. In her hand 

4 

Ihe holds the caduceus and fome ears of corn, 
emblematical of the abundance foe produces. 
Her companions were Venus and the Graces. 

Fidelity prefided over fincerity in treaties, and 
equity in commerce, The moft inviolable of 
oaths was that taken in her name, or in the name 
of Jupiter Fidius. It is generally believed that 
Numa Pompilius was the founder of her firft tem¬ 
ple. This goddefs is ufually reprefented by two 
women, in the aft of joining hands. 

Liberty, that idol of the Roman people, could 
not fail of being erefted into a divinity; and 
accordingly we find feveral temples to her honour. 
She was reprefented reclining upon a table of the 
laws, having in her hand, to defend them, a fword 
with this infeription: 


“ THEY SECURE THE LIBERTY OF ALL.” 


Licentioufnefs was reprefented {truck with a 

thunderbolt from heaven, at the moment flic was 

attempting to break one of thefe tables and the 
balance ofjuftice. 

Silence had hi§ altars j by the eaftern nations 

he 



282 


PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 


he was adored under the name of Harpocrates, 
but the Romans worlhipped it as a goddefs, which 
they called Angerona. The latter had likewife 
die god of Speech, which they ftyled Aim 
Loquutius. 

Temples were raifed to Modefty. She was 
reprefented under the form of a woman veiled, or 
of a woman pointing to the forehead with her 
finger, to exprefs that there was neither reproach 
nor fhame. 

Providence was reprefented by a woman leaning 
upon a pillar, holding in her left hand a horn of 
plenty, and with her right pointing to a globe, to 
teach us, that her care extends over the whole 
univerle, and that it is fhe who difpenfes every 
bidding. 

Juftice was reprefented as a young female, hold¬ 
ing a balance equally poifed in one hand, a naked 
fword in the other, and having a bandage over her 
eyes; fhe was feated upon a large ftone, ready 
to punifh vice and reward virtue. 

Fortune prefided over good and evil. She was 
reprefented under the figure of a woman, blind, 
and almoft bald, having wings to her feet, one 
of which is placed upon a wheel turning with 
great velocity, the other waves in the air. 

Opportunity was reprefented in the fame man¬ 
ner; flic had a lock of hair upon her head, to 

prefent the means of being ieized. 

Palenefs 



particular species of divinities. 283 


Palenefs and Fear. Men ftruck with the ap¬ 
pearance of events which infpired them with ter¬ 
ror, and ignorant of the caufe whence they pro¬ 
ceeded, add refled even the agitation of their minds 

as a divinitv, and offered it their prayers and 

♦ 

Applications for deliverance from their apprehen- 
fions. It is impoflible to fix the period when this 

worfhip began. 

In battle the god Mars was attended by Fear 
and Flight. The Corinthians, having maffacred 
the two Tons of Medea, were vifited with a pefti- 
lence which carried off great part of their children. 
Qn confulting the oracle, they were ordered to 
facrifice to the offended manes of thefe innocent 


viftims, and at the fame time to raife a flattie to 
Fear. She was reprefented with hair ereeft, in the 
attitude of looking upwards, her mouth extended, 
and a troubled afpefil. 

Palenefs was reprefented with a long emaciated 
countenance, fixed look, and drooping locks. 

The Lacedemonians placed the temple of Fear 
near the Lphori, in order to infpire criminals with 
the dread of fevere punifhment. In pronouncing 
an oath, hear was always named with the other 
gods. It would be equally tedious as ufelefs, to 


lirferibe all this fpecics of divinities. 


In general 



iomans, and the Greeks before 


them, honoured 


as deifies, Virtues, Vices, Pafiions and even Extra¬ 


ordinary Events. Every one could create 


new 




284 


PARTICULAR SPECIES OF DIVINITIES. 


gods at pleafure. When travellers in crofting j, 


river or fore ft, experienced any danger or furnriii 
they raifed an altar, adorned it with attributes and 


inferiptions, and thefe arbitrary monuments were 
refpeifted, and even adored by thofe whom CIiar.ee 
led that way. It will always be eafv to fujmlv the 
numerous lift which v/e have fupprefled to avo; i 
fatiguing our readers. The poets and anew;;;, 
when they fpeak of thefe divinities, are partienLirb 
careful to deferibe their influence and dlccq li> 
that they may at any time be recognized; they nil 
therefore at leaft po fiefs the charms and ornaments 
of poetry. However, among the malignant divi¬ 
nities, we muft not forget Ate or Diicord. Di iv\ 
from heaven by Jupiter, for endeavouring to hw 
diffenlion among the gods. Hie came to vot L r 
fury upon earth. To this cruel godded were ..mi- 
buted wars, quarrels and domcllic difputco. b 
was (lie who threw among the company a.Ten.i i' .i 
to celebrate the marriage of Peleus the lata! .11 |'ie, 

K.J i • 

bearing the iniaiution. 


i 4 


to tkk :io:;r \\v \r*n vv 1. 


Wc liave aheady (hid, that Cue. i* coiniiiu. ’ 
followed by her filters, the Prayer:, to lcjvii h.* 
evils which llic occafiens, but Iv inu l.inu> in »' 

j O 

.are conftantly outlli ipped by their moic me 

f. ler. 




COMUS AND MOML'S. 


7.8j 


OF COMUS AND MOMUS. 

Comus prefided over entertainments and 
the pleafures of the table. He is only known by 
name : every artiil is at liberty to reprelent him 
according to his own fancy. His name is derived 
from commejfari, to eat together; or according to 
feme from a lbrt of long well known to the ancients 

o 

called Comos, which was fung during their repafts. 

Mom us, lbn of Somnus and Nox, was the god 
of Raillery and Repartee. Satirical to excefs, 
neither the gods nor Jupiter himfeif were fecure 
from his flinging lhafts—His name comes from 
the Greek word memos, reproach. He blamed 
the gods for not having made an aperture in the 
brcall of man to diftinguifli truth from falsehood. 


OF 'i HE CODS OF MEDICINE. 



1 

he ruime of Kfculapius., whom the 

Greeks called Afclcpios, appears to be foreion 
. * 1 

to that nation, and Items derived from the 
oriental languages. It is certain that Efculapius 
was known in Phoenicia before the Greeks had any 


knowledge of him. 


Sanchomacho, the mod ancient of the Phoenician 


3 


authors. 



286 


Gods of medicine. 


authors, fpeaks of an Efculapius, Ton to Sydik 
or the Juft, and a princefs of the family of the 
Titans. 

The celebrated Marfham, whofe opinion is an 
authority to the learned, mentions an Efculapius, 
king of Memphis; he was brother to the fj r fl 
Mercury, lived two hundred years after the deluge, 
and more than a thoufand before the Grecian Is feu- 
lapius. Eufebius likewife gives an account of an 
Egyptian Efculapius, a famous phyfician, who 
contributed greatly in propagating throughout 
Egypt the ufe of letters, which had been invented 
by Mercury. 

It is in Phoenicia and Egypt then we muft feck 
for the true Efculapius. Honoured as a divinity 
in both countries, his religious ceremonies were 
brought into Greece by means of colonies. They 
were firft eftablilhed in Epidaurus a city of Pelo- 
ponnefus, and loon after the Greeks pretended 
that he was originally of their country; but as 
their mythology was very uncertain, his hiftory u 
differently related. According to the poets he 
was defeended from Apollo and Coronis, daughter 
of Phlegyas. Efculapius, the moment of his 
birth, was expofed upon a mountain, where he was 
nourifhed by a goat. The fhepherd who dii- 
covered him, thought he law the infant furrounded 
with rays of light, and carrying him home, deli¬ 
vered him to his wife Trigone by whom he was 

i brought 



GODS OF MEDICINE- 


287 

brought up. When able to fpeak, he was placed 
under the tuition of the celebrated Centaur Chiron. 
His genius, lively and penetrating, enabled him to 
make great progrefs in the knowledge of herbs, 
and the compofition of medicines. According 
to the cuftom of thole times he practifed both, 
furgery and phyfic, and attained fo great a degree 
of excellence that he was regarded firft as the in¬ 
ventor, and afterwards as the god of medicine. 
The Efculapius, contemporary with Hercules and 
Jafon, accompanied them in the expedition of the 
Argonauts, and rendered them effential fervice. 
A lhort time after his death he was honoured as 
a divinity, and being placed in heaven, formed the 
fign called the dragon. His defcendants reigned 
over part of Meffina: it was thence that his two 
fons, Podalirius and Machaon, went to the Trojan 
war. The poets pretended that the Ikill of Efcu¬ 
lapius extended even to the raifing of the dead; 
that Pluto complained of this to Jupiter, averting 
that his kingdom became a defart; and that Jupi¬ 
ter to appeafe his brother, crufhed the phyfician 
with a thunderbolt. We have already mentioned, 
that Apollo to revenge the death of his fon, flew 
the Cyclops with his arrows. At Epidaurus, 
Elculapius was honoured fometimes under the form 
of a ferpent, and fometimes under that of a man. 
His ftatue, from the hand of Thrafimedes of Paros, 


was 



gods of medicine. 




Jupiter 


gold and ivorv, but not more than half the fize, 
He is represented fitting upon a throne, holding; 
in one hand a wand, and repofing the other upon 
the head of a ferpent, Round his temple were 
ieen a number of pillars inferibed with the names 
of thofe who pretended to have received cures 
from him. The ferpent and the cock were par¬ 
ticularly confecrated to this deity. Efculapius 
was feigned to have proceeded under the form of 
a ferpent, from the egg of a crow, A man having 
found means to introduce one of thefe reptiles into 
the egg of a crow, deposited it in the foundation 
of the temple building to the honour of Efculapius, 
pretending that he found it there, and that it v.as 
Efculapius himfelf under thatdifguife. This ftore¬ 
gained credit with the people, who ran in crouds 
to pay their adoration to the god of health, the 
priefts ofthis deity being well verfed in the produce 
of medicine, and pofiefling thefecrets of Efculapius,. 
difpenfed remedies to the fick, and attributed to 

their divinity all the honour of the cure. 

The ferpent became the fymbol of Efculapius; 

it was likewife that of prudence, a quality fo r.ecel- 

fary in phyficians. Titus Livius relates, that the 

♦ 

Romans being vifited by a pefirilence, were in- 
ftrudted by the facred books of the Sybils, to go 


and fetch Efculapius from Epidaurus. 


Vur 



GODS OF MEDICINE. 


itfelf among the reeds. 


1289 

For this purpofe they deputed ambaffadors, 
who received from the priefls a tame fnake, which 
they afierted was Efculapius himfelf. 

It was folemnly embarked, and on the arrival of 
the veflvl at an Ifiand in the Tiber, the reptile 
efcapcd and concealed 

Thinking the God had chofen this place for his 
abode, they railed him a fuperb temple on the 
lame fpot, and bordered the whole Ifiand with 
fine white marble, giving it the form, or rather 
the plan of a large vcfTel. It was thus that, in 
the four hundred and fixty-fecond year of the city, 
the worfhip of Efculapius was introduced at Rome. 
We Hull not conclude our account of this fpecies 


of 


divinities without obferving, that the Greeks 
and Romans granted divine honours to friendfhip. 
The former called it Pbilia ; the latter reprefented 
it under the form of a young female, with her head 

uncovered, clothed in a fimple drefs, having this 
infeription at the bottom : 


“ I.IFE AND DEATH.” 


mer. 


On her forehead was written “Winter and fum- 

In her hand fhe held a feroll, inferibed 


“ Ear and near.’ 


Thefe exprefiions and fymbols fignify that friend- 
fhip is ever young, is the fame at all times, in 
abfence and in prefence, in life and in death; that 
fhe fears no dangers in ferving a friend, and that 

U for 



DEMI-CODS AND HEROES. 



for him fhe has no fecrets. This laft idea was ex- 
preffed by one of her hands placed upon her 
heart. This picture, eloquent as it is, does not 
equal the expreffions of Montagne, when bewail¬ 


ing the death of a friend he fays, c Since thou art 
gone, all to me is forrow and regret; our hearts, 
our minds were one ; we mingled our tears, our 
griefs were fhared, our pleafures doubled, but 
now, my woes receive the addition of thy loll, 
and if lome tranfient joy furprizc my mind, I 
reproach myfelf, and think I rob thee of thv 




OF DE:\il-GODS AMD HEROES 


rRELIMINART REFLECTIONS. 


n our preliminary refledtions we have 

already laid that the hiTl families fepararcd, and 
that numerous colonies having long travelled in 
hopes of finding more happy abodes, quickly 

funk into the grofTeft depravity. 

Thefe colonies carried with them only a faint 
remembrance of ancient traditions; every day 
diminilhed their knowledge of the true God; the 
impetuous movements of the pafiions became the 
only snudes, and naan, being thus degraded, hm tied 



demi-gods and heroes. 


291 


on from error to error, till he at laft arrived at that 
dreadful condition, when the belief in a juft and 
powerful God, the difpenfer of rewards and punifli- 
me.nts, becomes only a fource of terror to the 
wicked. It was then die guilty wretch, alarmed at 
every danger, at every peal of thunder, invoked 
the aid of doubt to fnatch him from his cruel ftate, 
and dared advance that horrid blnfphemy— 
cc There is no God.” 

This laft reftraint once broken, ignorance and 
barbarity concluded what fin had begun. The 
degeneracy of parents was increafed in their cor¬ 
rupted offspring. Virtue and Truth, unwelcome 
guefts on earth, returned to heaven, and left their 
place to Vice. Slaves to their defires, no bounds 
reftrained them. This finful race, forgetful even 
of their Creator, could only produce hordes of 
robbers and affaffins, and the weak, having no 
refource againft the powerful, became unavoidably 
their prey. 

However, as the property of guilt is only to 
increafe its own misfortunes, and to pollute what¬ 
ever it touches, experience, and the infupportable 
weight of mifery, at laft reftored fome morality 
to the world. The neceffity of a protection fu~ 
perior to that of man was perceived; to heaven 
they direfted their eyes in fcarch of it; but the 
true God being no longer known, the elements, 
flats, and whatever appeared fuperior to human 

u 1 force, 



DEMI-GODS AND HEROK*. 


$ 9 a 

force, became the objects of adoration. TlAc 
divinities were not fufficient; by augmenting their 
number, they thought to increaie their power. 
Amid the woes with which he found himfflf fur- 
rounded, retaining ail his pride, man carried i.h 
madnefs fo far as to adore even his fcliow-erc.i- 
tures, who became formidable by their bravery, 
or a Hilled him in his neceffities. The abide 
power foon compelled all to unite againfi. it ; dr.- 
flames of war were kindled, and to the d:i-u!l u 
wants, and calamities with winch nature e..i:/ 
threatened hi', frail exiltcnce, man added tan 
fcourge. In the fir ft engagements, corn-age 


i * * 


tracked every eye; the timid and vtu.: 
not then pretend to difpute the fir It ruff: u: 
its dangers with him wlio alone was enpsidt o; or* 

o 

fending it; but when the victory was gained, cu¬ 
pidity, pride and ambition relumed their cuv 1 -. 

The triumphant and courageous would r.j it 
ger be confounded with the vulgar; err. 
gave offence ; envy on one fide, and ingnmuu.r < a 

The earth ncaa 


the other, excited fury. 

\ 

wet with human gore; and who can ivcni.r: u. 
blood it colt to convince mankind, that cffrn.u 

• ‘ ' I 

were wanting than then* outrageous pai:r.*rr'. 
foon appeared that war would be eternal; 
this molt terrible of arts became a liudy. . 


W 

r 




i. > 


,i 


\ l 1 V 


one perceived, that he mull facnfice loine p - • :l 

% % 

of his pride to the more preffing 


nceciiT 


o.t 



DF.Ml-GODS AN D If I*.ROES. 


*93 


obtaining protection : rewards were afligned 
the conqueror, and the rank of each was deter¬ 
mined by his ftrength and courage. This gave 
rife to emulation, which is infeparable from 
glory ; and Glory, who would always be juft in the 
diftribution of her favours, compelled Admiration 
and Gratitude to crown him who returned with 
the greateft number of trophies, and fhowed him- 
felf mod capable of defending others. 

Such is the real origin of thofc kings and he¬ 
roes, whom the wcaknefs and folly of man pretended 
afterwards to rank with the divinities: fuch like- 
wile is the origin of nobility, whofe rights and 
honours, obtained by virtue and courage, can 
be difputcd only by the cowardly and the bafe. 

It would need a pen more eloquent and expe¬ 
rienced than ours to mark out the exaft time 
when men became civilized, and perceived the 
necefhty of obeying well-regulated iaws, which 
were to combat their inclinations and paflions. 
Such an account would lead us too far from our 
hibjeft; we (hall content ourfelvcs with obferv- 
ing, that in thole dreadful times when the life of 
man was one tiffue of crimes aval misfortunes, 
he who firft employed his ftrenuth and abilities in 


defence of the weak and innocent, muft necefia- 
rily have obtained admiration and gratitude, whilft 
he who employed his victories only for the 


u d 


grati- 

W 



/ 


% 


s 94 


HEROIC TIMES. 


gratification of his defires, muft have excited de- 
teftation and horror. Real happinefs was die 
reward of the former, whilft the latter could ne¬ 
ver enjoy one moment’s repofe. It was thus me 
learned by experience, that guilt brings its 
punifhment, and that virtue is its own reward 


n 


own 


This great truth once admitted, feme lrn;.v 

• 4 4 

families were to be found ; their example wm Ed- 
lowed by others, focietics were formed, ar.d friend- 
fhip came to increafe their number. Stren<uh a. i 


happinefs, and the focial qualities, muft have in- 
creafed in proportion as they became extended. 


GENERAL REFLECTIONS upon tmk HISTORY 
or GREECE and the TIMES called HEROIC. 


T 


Iercism had firft its birth in Greece; 
it is in that country we muft feek its origin; 
the Egyptians, it is generally acknowledged, had 
no worfhip for demi-gods. 

This was a title they granted none among them ; 
great men were no othenvife known to poflcritv 


than by being mentioned with admiration and 
praife. Here then we arc prefented with a new 
feene, and that darknefs difappears in which the 
hiftories of the gods were involved. We fball 
ftiII meet with much fidtion, but it will be k'ls 
abfurd, and however fabulous at this time, it dil- 

COVC1S 



HEROIC TIMES. 


295 


covers a glimpfe of hiftorical light, which ferves 
to explain thofe inventions of the imagination. 
Tombs tranfmit by tradition, from generation to 
generation, the remembrance of the illuftrious 
men whofe afhes they contain. Monuments 
and annual ceremonies remind pofterity of the 
hiftories of thole heroes whofe memories they 
were intended to perpetuate. We are parti¬ 
cularly convinced that thefe ornaments of the hu¬ 
man race have actually exifled, on feeing at 
particular times the games celebrated which they 
themfclves had inflituted. Before we proceed 
any further, we think it indifpenfably necefiary to 
call the attention of our readers to the origin of 

a people, the moll celebrated in the annals of 
hiftory. 

If Greece at firft prefents the appearance of 
ignorance and barbarity, it is prefently feen to 
become civilized and populous, to form monar¬ 
chies, anti particularly diftinguifh itlclf in the 


cultivation of the arts and fciences. It was by 
the Greeks, that poetry, eloquence, architecture, 
lculpturc, and painting, were carried to the greateft 
poffiblc perfection. It is to this people, in Ihort, 
we are indebted for our molt perfect models of 


every kind. In taking a curfory 
original condition of the Greeks, 


view of the 
we fee them 







HEROIC TIMES. 



forefts, to inhabit cottages, towns, and cities. By 
fome chiefs of enlightened colonies were intro¬ 
duced among them arts, fciences, laws, and re¬ 
ligious ceremonies. Improving upon the inflrnc- 
tion they had received, they furpaflfed their in af¬ 
ters, and faw their own country produce heroes 
whofe names became immortal. It is then we 
come to the hiitories of Perfeus, Bellerophon, 
Hercules, Thefeus, Caftor, Pollux, and nuniber- 
lefs others, whofe wonderful exploits have been 
the conftant theme of their poets, and are to this 
day reprefented on our ftages. 

We learn at the fame time the fir ft inflict! cion 
of thofe games and feafts which rendered Greece 
fo famous. 

The country, now known to us by the n.air.c of 
Greece, had not always the fame extent as when 
fubjedt to the Romans. It has frequently even 
changed its name. The Hebrew text of the lacird 


feriptures every where calls it Javan, and in the 
Septuagint verfion it is ftylecl I-Iellas, or I Icllenc, 
from Plellenus foil of Deucalion, who reigned in 
Pthia, a country of ThefTaly, and gave his name 
to all Greece. It is remarkable that the 1 lebrov 
name Javan, having no determined pronunciation, 
refembles that of Ion j and the firft known Ionian-; 
were in Greece, probably even they were me 


firft inhabitants of it. The Phoenicians, tm: 
greaceft navigators in the world, carried their 



HEROIC TIMES. 


2 97 


commerce into Greece, and particularly taught 
them the art of writing, which they firft difco- 
vered. The Egyptians likcwife fent colonies 
there. This prudent people, who enjoyed all the 
bleflings of a good government, and all the ad¬ 


vantages which can be derived from the arts and 

o 

feiences, taught them to feek peace and repofe un¬ 
der the protection of a monarch. They explained 
to them the neceflity of good laws, and of infpi- 
ring men with the fear of the divinity; unhappily 
they were themfelves in error, and introduced 
only their own religion and fictitious deities. 

We have already mentioned in the fir ft part of 
this work, the profound ignorance of the Greeks 
concerning their origin. 


This, however, was equalled by their vanity; 
they pretended to be the firft and moll ancient 
of people, and in confequence aflumed the title 
of AutoCtones, that is, born in the very country, 
regarding themfelves as the fathers and inftruCtors 
of every other people. The refemblance which 
the names of their heroes bore to thofe of foreign 
nations, appeared to their felf-conecit proof luffi- 
cient of this. What we know with certainty is, 
that Javan, fon of Japher, known to the Gteeks 
under the name of Japctus, had the welt for his 
portion. It is from him are defeended the Ionians 
and all the Grecian nations. After the difperfion 

which 



HEROIC TIMES. 


298 

which happened at the Tov/er of Babel, this an. 
cient patriarch led a colony into the welt, but the 
particular place where he fixed his rcfidcnce b 
unknown. It is thought to have been Alia Minot, 
from whence his defcendants crofted the Bosphorus 
of Thrace, and paffed into Greece. 

Thefe were, without doubt, the fir ft inhabitant.-, 


Jape 


much 


fpoken of by the ancient poets and hiftorians. 

According to Paufanias, Pelalgus was the firu 
extraordinary man who appeared in Greece; he 
furpafled his contemporaries in ftaturc, ftrengti:, 
courage, comelinefs of pcrfon and beauty of mind. 
His refidence was in Arcadia, where he taught the 

people to build cottages as' a defence agair.il the 

inclemencies of heat and cold; to clothe then-helve:, 

with fkins, and to feed on the fruit of tiic bees 

tree. To recompence his fignal fcrvices, he was 

regarded as chief and king of the country 

much was his memory refpedted, that the country 

he inhabited was from him called Pclhe,in 1 ^ 

children, witnefles of his glory, followed his exam- 

1 1 

pie, and the grateful people intruiled tne wJi"!e 

power of the flute in their hands. 

Three generations after Pelafgus, Arcadia com 
boaft of an immenfe population, and a great num¬ 
ber of cities. This is tire account Paufanias gir^ 

of the firft inhabitants of Greece. 




-i 


Sonic linn! 


alter 





HEROIC TIMES. 


*99 


after, Egyptian and Phoenician colonies came to 
fettle in this country, and changed its manners, 
cufl'oms and religion. 

o 

The defeendants of Javan and Pelafgus were 
not fufficient to people this vaft and fertile country. 
Phoenicia and Egypt lying near the places hr ft 
taken pofleflion of by the children of Noah, lent 
colonies of their too numerous inhabitants in 
fearch of new abodes: thefe came into the weft. 


bringing with them their arts, cuftoms, laws and 
religion. 

The groffeft idolatry at that time prevailed 
throughout Greece; their gods had not even 
names, fo that the people eafily accommodated 
themfelves to the divinities of thefe orientals, to 

whom they were indebted for their civilization 
and increafe of happinefs.. 

The moft diftinguifhed leaders of thefe colonies 
were Inachus, Cecrops, Deucalion, Cadmus, 
Pelops, and forne others; the different colonies 
formed the kingdoms of Argos, Sicyon, Athens, 
1 hebes and I.acedemon. An exaft and general ac¬ 
count of the (irft eflabhlliments in Greece would 


exceed the limits v<e have prefenbed ourfclves 



this work, and even divert us from our objeft. 
We fhall confine ourfclves then to fuch remarks 


as piove that the moft celebrated heroes and demi¬ 


gods, mentioned in fabulous hiftory, have adually 

cxifted. 


KING- 



3°o 


KIN'GDOM OF ARf.OS. 


KINGDOM OF ARGOS. 


I nt mod: authentic hiftorica! rGinvd 

* * ■ ' / 

prove that Inachus quitted Phoenicia an.! ( . 
into Greece, where he founded the kingdom < 
Argos, about one thouland eight hundnd tA 
eighty years before the Chrifli.ii) mra. I h a { 
in the country called Peloponndus, he eh t - ; 

the bed of die river Amphilochus, winch i j d - 
quently to overflow, and bellowed on it if - - •, 
name, which, according to the cullom of :... • 


t> 


l • 4 


times, gave occafion to the report, that lie 

tutelar deirv of that river. Tlie kingdom, c i A:.- 

• > • 

had a long fuecefilon of monarchs: the nir.o rk 
called InaciiitlcSj were Inachus, Phcroncus, A;; . 
Argus, Chriofus, Phorbas, Triopas, Stl.ei.eit!: 
Gclanor. 

The fecond fon of Inachus and brother i<> ■>- 

roneus was called P.gialus, and founded d.e .... 
dom of Sicyon. 

It is u file is to give a liil of the Id:'", w 
difierent countries , their cxiftcncc and < : 

♦ 

lucceffion may be proved from all the him :: 
Greece. We lhall notice, however, , : - 

temporary wiih Molls; he (paired Puy; : m 
family and came into the kingdom of Arum, • 
die* renin of (Manor, ninth him of that e>a'/. , 
v,ho v.iis of the race o! the Imnhhk:... 


i 



KIKGDOM OF ARGOS. 


305 


The he pinning of this fovercign’s reign was full 

*CJ W 

of trouble, which Danaus took advantage of to 
gain over a confiderable party, and dethrone his 
benefactor. 

The Inarhides then gave place to the Belides. 
Danaus had by di [Trent wives fifty daughters. 
The Ions of his brother /Kgvptus were the fame 
in number. Thele latter having learned that their 

O 

incic was pofTcffbrof a throne in Greece, embarked 
for tin? purpofe of demanding their relations in 

Danaus dared not refufe, but every 


marria v. 


thing inlpii'ing this ufurper with llifpicion, he gave 
opacts to his daughters to aflaflinare their ludbands 
the ilnil night of their nuptials. We have already 
related that I lypermnellra alone [pared her huf- 
baiui, ].\nccus. 


r * s \ • 

i his 


prince nuu.e war upon 


Danaus, whom fear and remorfe for his crime 
Tuvrmiivd at hi ft to yield him the crown. 

I \\ r iucceifors of l./ynccus were Abas, Prajtus 


an 


1 


\crifms, whole daughter, Danac, was the 
mother of Pencils, fo famed in fable, of whom we 
llull lliortly fpeak. 

1 his lame Perlens, Iuvmg unintentionally flain 
his gi and lathe r, Acnfais, (putted the kmrfom of 

* 1. 

.Argos and went to letdc in IVivcen::.'. This e::- 

V 


tiaci. is lujiicicnt to piovc that by rcciirrin; r to 

■* * O 


Inllotv, we Jhall line! me c j u; hs wh.en thele per- 

,on: ’ who were fa celebrated in the fictions 

ol the putts. 

OF 



302 


FABULOUS TIMES; 


OF THE HEROIC, OR FABULOUS TIMES. 



oth ancients and moderns agree, that 
the heroic, or fabulous times, extended from the 
time of Ogyges to the re-efcablifluncnt of the 
Olympiads, the period at which begin the hiftorical 
times. The duration of this fpace is notprecifdv 
determined; the greater part of the learned fix it 
at one thoufand fix hundred years, but it is with 
equal confidence and refpect we adopt the calcu¬ 
lation of the iilufirious Newton, who has brought 
it nearer the vulgar rera by about five hundred 
years, and computes its duration to have been 
twelve or thirteen centuries. The Parian marbles 
the molt authentic monument of ancient chro¬ 
nology, ferve as a guide from the time of Cecrops 
to the Olympiads, without exactly determining 
length of the heroic times. 


lUU 


To affift the memory we fin all again repeat the 
celebrated divifion of time according to Yarro. 
He divided it into the unknown, the heroic 

or fabulous, and the hiftorical. 

. The firfh comprehended all that pafled before 
the deluge of Ogyges: this period gave birth to 
the gods mentioned in the firfl' part of this work. 


The fecond extended from 


Owes to the 


eftablifhment of the Olympiads: it was then lived 


3 


the 



DELUGE OF OGVCES. 


3 °s 

the demi-gods and heroes: in this fecond fpaee 
likewife we meet with the marbles of Paros, or 
Arundel. 

Laftlv, the third divifion, called the hiftorical, 
commences at the eftablifbmeat of the Olym¬ 
piads. 

The times called by Varro unknown, were 
actually lb by the Greeks, who were at fir ft a 
vagrant uncivilized people ; but the eaftern nations, 
who enjoyed all the advantages of the arts and 
faiences, were much better acquainted with thefe 
remote periods. Inachus, by leading colonies into 
Greece, introduced his knowledge likewife amonv 


the barbarous people of that country. 

It will appear in the courfe of this work, how 
eafy it is to diftinguifh truth and hiftory from the 
marvellous, and the fictions of the poets. 


DELUGE OF OGYGES. 

This deluge is fo celebrated, that it is 
indilpenfably neceffary to give fome account of it. 

The Greek hiftorians fay, that Ogyges reigned 
ovei Attica and Sccotia, at the time Pho rone us 
was king of Argolis; and that this was the period 
of that deluge which was called by his name. 

St. Augnftine in his book ftyled The City of 
God, has tranfmitted fome valuable remarks upon 

Grecian 



3°4 


DELUGE OK OCYGES. 


Grecian antiquity. Thefe confirm the o; i : i. -. 
that the deluge happened under Ogyry., ■ 

that it was about one thoufand fix hi.id;- •' ■■ , 

A ' ft 

ninety-fix years before the Chrillian a ra. ■ 
deluge miifh not be confounded with \,' . 

was univerfiil. We learn from the ;u. . 

♦ 

Bccotia was a country furrounded with ;m-i• 

The centre formed a valley, in the middic "T vd,.. 

% 

flood a lake which had no other means of did i. 


* ' 1 J . 


> C L 


1 / r 


1 . 


ing itfelf but by fubterraneous channel.-., the 
running through mount Ptous. The greai 

O O } 

of earth and mud carried along by the ri, 
pias (which empties itfelf into the lake} pr 
choaked up thefe fubterraneous panTc,-, 
the waters finding no iffue, rofe to a h; i. 
more confklerable as their quantity was ir 


^ * ft 


» . \ 


i * . 


1 . 1 


« ♦ 


i . . V i h 


by the fall of heavy rains. In confequcncr, ih..: d.: 
was foon entirely under water. 

Voeler, in his journey into Greece, after l:a; k 
attentively examined the country, aiuavs i:.-, : .. 


no other caufe can be aligned tor this ecu.: 
deluge. An event fo extraordinary' v. as, i v : 

O 

poets, related with their ufual cxaggerate . ■ 
gave rife likewife to numerous conjectures 
the learned. Some fathers of the cimruh, n • 
writings again ft idolatry, appear to biinh tii 1 ••• 
deluge was nothing die but the pafage ol A.'., 
acrofs the .Red Sea. But if appears a nan m.a 
Ogygcs lived before rhe I lebivw leghhimr, * i; ' 1 


1 



MARBLES OF PAROS i 


3 °5 


that this deluge muft be accounted for in the man¬ 
ner juft mentioned. 


MARBLES OF PAROS. 

The marbles of Paros being one of the 

molt valuable and authentic monuments recorded 
in hiflory. it would be unpardonable to pafs them 

over ia iilencc. 

The firft epoch of this chronicle begins at the 
arrival of Cecrops in Greece, from which time 
the hiflory of that country is entitled to our con^ 

fidence. 

This public monument, commonly called the 
Marbles of Paros, is a feries of pieces of mar¬ 
ble, containing a chronology of the principal events 
which happened in Greece. It begins at Cecrops* 
and ends at the period when Diognetes filled the 
office of Archon, including a period of one thou- 
fand three hundred and eighteen years. It was 
made by public authority for the ufe of the Athe¬ 
nians fixty years after the death of Alexander, 
and in the fourth year of the 128th Olympiad. The 
dates which it fixes making no men! ion of the 
Olympiads, it appears certain that thefe lacter were 
not tiled to determine chronology, and that the 
marbles of Paros were alone employed for thac 
purpolc. 


uV 


Tinicus 



KINGDOM OF ATHENS. 


306 

Timeus of Sicily, in his hiftory, appears to be 
the firft writer who counted by olympiads; h? 


did not write till 66 years after the death of Alex¬ 
ander. 

The marbles of Paros, we may conclude then 
are the mod valuable and authentic monument of 
antiquity extant. They derived their name front 
the circumftance of their having been difcovcrcd 
in the ifiand of Paros. They were afterwards fold 
to lord Arundel, whofe name they now bear, 
and conftitute one of the fined: ornaments of 
the public library at Oxford. Unhappily they arc 
much injured in many parts, and frequently i; 
requires great pains and attention to read even a 
few words in fome of the epochs they contain. 
Three learned men, Sold on, Lydiat and Pride am;, 
have laboured to elucidate and fupply, as far as 
poflible, the obliterated text. 


KINGDOM OF ATHENS. 



j;e interpreters of the Arundelian mar¬ 
bles inform us, that it was in the reign of Tripas, 
levcnth king of Argos, that Cecrops came iron' 
Egypt to efcabiiih hunielf in Attica. He elpoulm 
the daughter of Adeus, after whom the country 

° 1 • ! 

was called; and built the twelve towns vim- 


.ompofed the kingdom of Athena 


1 lere he mtre 

duaed 


I 



KINGDOM OF ATHENS* 


3°7 

duccd the laws and religious ceremonies of his 
country, particularly thofe of Minerva, fo honoured 
at Sais from whence he came. Thefe fadts are 
attefted by all antiquity. 

It was he, fays Eufebius, who firft gave the 
name of God to Jupiter, and raifed him an altar. 

The great refemblance between the laws given 
by this prince to the Athenians, and thofe of the 
Hebrew people, incline us to believe, that he 
had learned them of the Ifraelites during their 
residence in Egypt. 


The poets gave Cecrops the name of Diphyes, 
that is, compofcd of two natures. The fable like- 
wile reprelents him as half man and half ferpent. 
The origin of this name, and method of defcribing 
him, was limply an allegory, to exprefs the Egyp¬ 
tian and Grecian languages, both of which were 
ipoken by Cecrops with equal fluency. It was 
this prince who cflablifhed the marriage laws, and 
polilhed the manners of the Pelafgi, by inftruft- 
ing them in the Egyptian cufloms. It has been 
clearly demondrated, that Athens, the feat of arts, 
fi'ienccs and politenefs, fir ft received her knowledge 
from Egypt. Cecrops collected the inhabitants 
o( die country, taught them to form a permanent 
ellablilhmcnt, and built a fortiefs, which from him 


ectopia. The kingdom of Athens 


was called C 

laded more than four hundred years, and had 
leventeen kings ; Cecrops, Crp.naus, Amphidtyon, 

EriCihonius, 


x 2 



3°8 


KINGDOM OF ATHENS. 


Erifthonius, Pandion the firft, Ere&heus, Cecrcr$ 
the fecond, Pandion the fecond, AEgeus, Tlidcas 
Mneftheus, Deniophon, Oxyntes, Aphydas, Thy- 
mretes, Mclanthus, and Codrus, who devoted him- 
fclf for his countrv. 

Cranaus, a native of the country, fuccecded 
Cecrops, and reigned nine years. The Parian 
marbles inform us, that under his reign the Areo- 
pagus, eftablifhed by Cecrops, pronounced judg¬ 
ment. between Neptune and Mars, of which vr 

have given an account in a former part of this 

1 

work. From the fame marbles we learn, that the 
deluge of Deucalion, which will prefently cun',? 
under obfervation, happened in the fourth year of 
this prince’s reign. After Codrus, the city was 
governed by perpetual magistrates, called A relian¬ 
ces. The hiftory of the firft kings of Athens 
down to Deniophon, abounds in fiction, hut the 
chronology of each of thefe reigns is certain, as 
the principal events which occurred duiin;* t.Vle 
periods are recorded by tire marbles, .md tacit 
epochs fixed. 

It was about one thouiand and ninctr-Tu .-cars 

S 1 

before the Chriftian nrra, liras fvlr. de Lodiw;, that 
Codrus, king of Athens, devoted Imulch mr his 
country, ami procured them victory by his m\n 
death. 1 ii.s children, Motion and Niiei:.;, <. 
the empire with each other, on which wcc.u. a. 
Athenians abolilhcd royalty, and tiechucti jc; 


1 ’ 



KINGDOM OF LACONIA* 


3°9 


alone king of Athens. They created governors, 
or perpetual prefidents, called Archontes, who 
were obliged to render a ftndt account of their 
adminiftration. Mcdon, fon of Codrus, was the 
fir ft who exercifed this office, which continued in 

his family a long time. 

The Athenians dilpcrfed their colonies over that 

part of Afia Minor* which was called Ionia; the 

yEolian colonies fettled about the fame time, and 

■ 

Grecian cities were Toon founded throughout all 
Afia Minor. 


KINGDOM OF LACONIA, OK LACEDAEMON. 

T, ; e kingdom of Laconia was founded 
during the reign of Cecrops, by Lelex, who gave 
it the name of Lelegia. 

The fir ft dynafty of the monarchs of this 
country confided of twelve. Lurotas, who gave 
his name to the principal river of that country, 
was the firfi. Lacedaemon, his brother, lucceeded 
him, and gave his name to the capital, and to the 
whole kingdom. 

The third was Amyclas, who built a new city 
called after his own name. It will be fu/ficient to 
name the remainder, who were Argalus, Cynortas, 
G’.balus, Hippocoon, 'Lyndams, Callor and Pol¬ 
lux, fans of Tvndarus, and brothers of Helen ; 

x 3 Mci.elaus, 



KINGDOM OF ATHENS. 


mm - 


308 

Erifthonius, Pandion the firft, Ere ft he us, Cecrcps 
the fecond, Pandion the fecond, PEgeus, Thdeus 
Mneftheus, Demophon, Oxyntes, Aphvdas, Thy- 

m 

mretes, Melanthus, and Codrus, who devoted hi 
felf for his country. 

J 

Cranaus, a native of the country, fucceeded 
Cecrops, and reigned nine years. The Parian 
marbles inform us, that under his reign the Areo-g 
pagus, eftablifhed by Cecrops, pronounced judg¬ 
ment. between Neptune and Mars, of which v,y 

have given an account in a former part of this 

« 

work. From the fame marbles we learn, that the 
deluge of Deucalion, which will prekntiy come 
under obfervation, happened in the fourth year of 
this prince’s reign. After Codrus, the city was 
governed by perpetual magitlrates, called Archon- 
tes. The hiftory of the firft kings of Athens, 
down to Demophon, abounds in ficlion; hut the 
chronology of each of theie reigns is certain, as 
the principal events which occurred dui iug thcle 
periods are recorded by the marbles, a;u: t.ieir 
epochs fixed. 

It was about one thoufind and nmcir-dw years 

J * 

before the Chridian mra, lavs fvlr. dc iJoC'.s-:, that 

* 

Codrus. kin^ of Athens, devoted liinde.'j iur liis 

J ij 

country, and procured them victory by Ins c"i' 
death. 1 iis children, Mcdon and Nileus, di 
the empire with each other, on v/i.ieii 
Athenians abolilhed royalty, and declared ju; • • 


• d 


<. * . 



KINGDOM Of LACONIA. 


30.9 


alone king of Athens, They created governors, 
or perpetual prefidents, called Archontes, who 
were obliged to render a ftridt account of their 

o 

adminiftration. Medon, fon of Codrus, was the 
fir ft who exercifed this office, which continued in 
his family a long time. 

The Athenians difperfed their colonies over that 
part of Alia Minor which was called Ionia; the 
AEolian colonies fettled about the fame time, and 
Grecian cities were foon founded throughout all 
Afia Minor. 


KINGDOM OF LACONIA, OR LACEDAEMON 


The kingdom of Laconia was founded 
during the reign of Cecrops, by Lelex, who gave 
it the name of Lelegia. 

The fir ft dynafty of the monarchs of this 
country confided of twelve. Lurotas, who gave 
his name to the principal river of that country, 
was the firft. Lacedaemon, his brother, fucceeded 

him, and gave his name to the capital, and to the 

whole kingdom. 

I he third was Amyclus, who built a new city 
called after his own name. It will be fu/ficicnt to 
name the remainder, who were Argalus, Cynortas, 

G’.balus, Hippocoon, Tyndarus, (Jailor and Pol¬ 
lux, Jbns of Tyndarus, and brothers of 1 Jelen ; 

x 3 Mei.claus. 



DELUGE OF DEUCALION. 



Menelaus, fon of Atreus, who obtained the 

crown in right of Helen ; Oreftes and Her- 

mione, the former fon to Agamemnon, the latter 

daughter to Menelaus and Helen; and ladlr, 

Tifamenes, fon of Oreftes. 

It was during the reign of this prince, that the 

Heraclides, defendants of Hercules, entered 

Peloponnefus and pofirfied themfelves of Anros, 

* 

Mycasnte, and Lacedaemon. Euryfthencs, ion of 
Ariflodemus, afterwards mounted the throne, and 


began the fecond dynafty of Spartan kings, 
were called Agides, from Agis his fon. 



DELUGE OF DEUCALION. 

W£ have already mentioned, that ac¬ 
cording to the Arundel marbles, it was under 
the reign of Cranaus that the deluge of Deu¬ 
calion happened. 

Thefe fame marbles prove, that when the 
waters fubfided, Deucalion went to Athens to re¬ 
turn thanks to the gods for his prefervation. He 
offered facrifice to Jupiter in a temple which 
he raifed to his honour. This temple f ill exillcd 
in the time of Piffratus, who rebuilt it at a vaft 
expence, and it afterwards became one of the 
feven wonders of the world, under the name of 

the temple of Jupiter Olympus. 

1 lie 



ARRIVAL OF CADMUS IN GREECE- 3 11 

The deluge of Deucalion appears to have pro¬ 
ceeded from the fame caufes, as the deluge of 

(Wo-es The poets however rendered it much 
o' & 1 , 

more famous; but we mu ft remark, that the 
tradition of the uni verbal deluge having been 
prelerved by every people, though in a confuleci 
manner j the remembrance of this ten ible event 
was renewed in their minds, wheievei tltey weie 
witnels to any remarkable inundation. It was in 
imitation of this tradition, that they have exagge¬ 
rated the defeription of every particular deluge. 
The imagination of the poets could never exceed 
an event, the remembrance of which ft ill excited 
terror; but as they loved to appropriate all to their 
own purpofes, without troubling themfelves with 
epochs, or paying any attention to the truth, they 
united in their deferiptions whatever had been 
trimfmitced to them by tradition. 


ARRIVAL OR CADMUS IN GREECE. 


About one thoufand three hundred and 
fifty years before the Chrilli.m mrn, Cadmus de¬ 
parted from the coaft of UluLpici.i, and the environs 

of Tyre and Sidon, with a colony to form a new 

r. 1 ic firft took pofTcflion 


dlablilhmcnt in Greece, 
of part of Bcicotia, built a fortrcls, which from 
him was called Cadnicum, and made this the feat 



312 


ARRIVAL OF CADMUS IN CREKCr:. 


of his new empire. Hp experienced, however, 

great refiftance from the inhabitants of the co 


untrv 


the Hyantes in particular oppoled him wirh the 
greateft courage ; but being completely defeated 
in a pitched battle by Cadmus, they were obliged 
to abandon their country. This example, Urikin: 






terror into the EEclians their neighbours, they fub- 
mitted to the conqueror, and received his laws, 
cultoms and religion, which they loon found pre¬ 
ferable to the barbarous pradlices of Greece. 
From that time the Delians and Phcnichm 

uniting, became one people. 

Such is the abridged hiftory of this colony; but 

we find it fo intermixed with fiction, that it is 

almoft impodible to difeover the real truth, Every 

hiftorical refearch into antiquity proves, that 

Europa, filler of Cadmus, palled from Phoenicia into 

the Ille of Crete, in a veflel carrying the figure of 

a bull on the prow. It is from this the Greeks 

have invented the llory of Jupiter having iranl- 

formed himfelfinto that animal to carry ofTEumpa. 

Some of the ancients lay, that this princeb von 

carried off by pirates; that Agenor, her lather, 

icing of Phoenicia, lent in Jearc h of her ( ad nun 

and two other princes, named Cilix, and Ehar,r., 

♦ 

that Cadmus Hopped in Boeotians we have ah-.:- 

♦ 

faid } Cilix icnlird in that part of Alia JV]inor> Aa; 
wards called Cilicia; and Phcvnix palled intn A!m* - 

4 i * 

According to ancient writers, Cadmus hn' im- 


# 




arrival ok kf.lops is crekce. 


3 l S 


tiuced the ufe of letters into Greece ; this appears 

certain, that the ancient Greek characters perfedldy 

refembled thofe of the Phoenicians. Befules the 
alphabet, till then unknown in Greece, Cadmus 
brought the religious ceremonies of the Egyp- 
rian divinities, particularly thofe of Ofiris and 
Bacchus, which were confounded together. We 

it, that the more attentively we 


again ref 


-/> I O f" 

/ V. 4~ 


l. / * 

examine hiflorv and ancient monuments, the more 
evident it appears that it is to Phoenicia and Egypt 
the Greeks are indebted for their laws, cuftoms, 
religion, arts and fcienccs. 


ARRIVAL Of PLLOPS I\ T GRLLCIL 


fm: Lift renowned ftranger who arrived 
in Greece before the taking of Troy, was Pelops, 
foil of Tantalus, king of Lydia. This prince, 
compelled to fly his country on account of the war 
declared a gain ft him by Tros, in revenge for the 


violence offered to Ganymede, took refuge in 
Greece, where heefpoufed flippodamia, daughter 
of Q’inomaiis, king of Pila. On the death of" his 
father in law. heafemded the throne,and pave name 

' } ij 

to the peninfula finee tluit time called Peloponnc- 
hip hi!t his dominions extended much farther; 
he was one of the molt powerful princes of 
<ireerc. I Ir had two Tons, Atreus and Thveflrs, 
I'-nurkable for their mutual hatred. Atrev:. 


* * 

t . * 



CAPTURE OF TROY. 


3»4 

was father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, who af. 
filled in the taking of Troy. 

The defendants of Pelops reigned at Myca’n.t 
till the return of the Heraclides. 


CAPTURE OF TROY. 


This epoch is one of the mod celebrated 
inhiflory. It was at the time of this famous A :e 
that Greece produced the major part of tin fc 
heroes, who will occupy a diftinguifhed pit 


ice in 


the remainder of this work. We think it fu.'lkieiu 
to mention this remarkable event, and fhaii o-n- 



ll.l'K'i,, 


fine otirieh ; es to the account which tire i 
Mr. de Boflhet gives in his difcourfc on unhr ;?l 



“ The city of Troy was twice taken, hiil under 
Laomedon, its third monarch; and afterwards an.!.-; 
his fon Priam—having fuflained a liege often yc.us. 
This epoch of the capture of Troy, which happens 
about three hundred and eight years after the de¬ 
parture of the Kraelites out of I'.gypt, and one 
thoufand one hundred and eighty- four befre ihe 
Chriflian aura, is worthy obfervation, as weli fima 
the importance of fo great an event, celebrated by 
the two greatefl ]>oets of Greece and Italy, a.> iron 
its being the period which produced whatever 
remarkable in the times called f abulous or f !ei< a, 



OV HEROES, 


3»5 


& 

i 

< 


and 


Fabulous, from the fictions in which the hiflory of 
thole times is involved; and Heroic, from thofe 
called by the poets the offspring of gods and 
herecs. The epoch of their lives cannot be 
remote from this capture, for in the time of 
Laomedon appeared all the heroes or the golden 
fleece, Jallm, Hercules, Orpheus, Caller 
Pollux, 

“ In the time of Priam, we meet with Achilles, 
Agamemnon, Menelaus, Ulyfics, Hector, Sarpe- 
don ion of Jupiter, /Eneas ion of Venus, (ac¬ 
knowledged by the Romans as their founder), and 
many others, from whom the moil iliuflrious fami¬ 
lies, and even whole nations, made it their glory 
to be delcended. This then is the period which 
produced whatever is mo ft beautiful and authentic 
in the times called Fabulous.” Thefe are the 
principal epochs when the heroes liourifhed who 
will nyw engage our attention. 


OF HEROES. 


Ir.Lus'nuous rr.cn were frequently de- 

:■ ‘bed by the ancients as giants, or at lead as 
mm of an extraordinary ftature. 1 Iomcr and the 
other poets make them ufc javelins which would 

,!:!vc r(;c ]mrcd the flrength of four ordinary men to 
u.mdilh. 


It 



OF HEROES. 


316 

It has been already obferved, that the E< 
had a cuftom of judging kings, generals and 
perfon of diftindtion after death. If virtuous, their 
memory was preferved, and reverenced ; ’n■ ; r 


vctiar-, 


CVerv 


the Greeks fir ft rendered them divine honour- 
It is likewife from their language that the word 
hero is derived; a word whofe origin is diiii .udy 

4 

explained. Some of the ancient.-, nippond ir :.■> 

come from eras, love, to fignify that lie rocs w ere 

the fons of a mortal and an immortal; but Si 

Auuuftine in bis refearches into idolatrv, proven 

# * A J 

that the word hero comes from the Greek word 
Hera, a name given to Juno. One of the l‘c;;s 
of this goddefs was called Hero, and this an- 


I 

men 


pellation was afterwards ufed to exprefs 
illuftrious for their courage and exploits. TIG 
is the etymology molt generally adopted, The 
name of Hero was at firft only given to inch 
as were defeended from a divinity and a mortal, 
but it was afterwards conferred upon all who ac¬ 
quired any celebrity. Ancient philolbphy taught, 
that after death the fouls of great men were n ■■ 

I * 

ceived into the abode of the gods, and tins opimo.: 
gave rife to the practice of adoring them. 

The worfhip of the gods and that of 1 leroc, 
was bv no means the fame; to the divinities tig 
offered facrifices and poured out libation. 4 .> b-t 
they contented themfclvcs with celebrating * li;:; 1 


t 


% \ » W 

d * *» - 



OF HEROES. 



games to the honour of Heroes, during which 
they fung their mod illuftrious atchievements. 

In fcveral temples dedicated to Hercules, facri- 
fices were offered to him under the name of Olym¬ 
pian Hercules, and in the fame temples they 
celebrated his funeral ceremonies in quality of 
Hero. 

The Arcadians, Mefienians and Thebans, at firft 
facri Seed only to the gods ; but afterwards they 
invoked the Heroes of their country. It was 
generally believed that the latter concurred with 
the gods in punifhing impiety. Heroines enjoyed 
the fame honours as heroes; their tombs were in 
no re fp e c t different; both were ere bled in the 
middle of feme wood, which from that time became 
fit-red, and was called Lucas. There were certain 


periods when they reforted hither to make their 
offerings, and perform libations. 

It is extremely difficult to fix the precife period 
at which Heroes began to receive divine honours. 
1 he ancients lay nothing pofitive upon this point. 
Some learned moderns agree in believing that it 
may be traced up to Cadmus. They remark, that 
tiiis prince having brought into Greece the laws, 
cuftoms and manners of the Kgyptians and Phoeni¬ 
cians, introduced at the fame time the pradice of 
honouring or branding the memory ofdiftinguifhed 
characters. I he Greeks, naturally fond of imitatin 
utlicrs, wilful in the fame manner to honour the 

funeral.' 


<r 

to 



OF HEROES* 





nd 


• ♦ 

funerals of their relations by feafts, invocations 
offerings; they firft ere&ed ‘to them magnificent 
tombs, which they vifited annually to pour or 
libations; to thefe they afterwards added ftatues 
and altars; and tombs were at laft feen transformed 
into temples. Every individual had the riciit of 
paying thefe duties to his anceftors, and even of 
rendering them honours; but frequently their fame 
extended not beyond the family; they wer 
Penates or houfehold gods, and from their ohfruritv 


r tneir 


unknown to the reft of the world: but it was not 
the fame with great men; they were honoured hy 
cities, kingdoms and mighty nations, who thoun't 


• reputation. Individuals 


they owed this tribute to their ferviccs and id: d 

trious actions. They were by public acls dudan-J 

protestors of the people among whom them had 

lived; frequently they were adopted by ether 

countries, and their worfhip became as famous 

and ex ten five as theii 

could only raife to their relations Ample ter.dr, in 

form of altars, which were never pujftic. Ivlmv.:- 

ments raifed to Heroes of countries, refembled the 

temples of the gods; and to add foicnu'.hv t:> the 

refpedt they paid them, they eftablimcd to t vir 

♦ 

honour mylteries, ceremonies, and c:d: .ms of 
priefts appropriated to their fervice. 11’.num¬ 
ber of Heroes and Heroines being alrnoll beyond 

O ' 

calculation, it would be impoflible to give the 

* 

hiftories, and hardly even the names of all thole 

v h o in 



HISTORY OF PF-RSEUS. 





whom Greece and Italy either regarded as divini¬ 
ties, or dignified with diftinguifhed honours; but 
we fhall be careful to give an account of the raoft 
celebrated, and clafs them as far as poffible accord¬ 
ing to the order in which they lived; for -which 
purpole, we lhall begin with the hiftory ofPerfeus, 
that appearing to us to be the moft ancient. 


HISTORY OF PERSEUS. 


all who fought her in marriage. 


Perseus was of the blood of Danaus, the 
ufnrper or conqueror of the throne of Gelanor, 
king of Argos. 

Acrifius, grandfather of Perfeus, had an only- 
daughter, named Danae. Having learned from the 
oracle, that he fhould have a grandfon who would 
deprive him of his life and crown, he confined his 
daughter in a brazen tower, rejecting the offers of 

Praetus, brother 
of'Acrifius, who took upon him the furname of 

Jupiter, (according to a practice which we men¬ 
tioned in the hiftory of that god,) found means to 
corrupt the fidelity of his niece’s guards, gained 

admittance into the tower, and married her. The 

♦ 

birth ofPerfeus difcovered the myftery. 

Acrifius, more terrified at the prediction of the 
oracle than fenfible to paternal tendernefs, ex- 
pofed Danae and her infant in a crazy boat upon 

the 



3 20 


HISTORY OF PERSEUS. 


the wide ocean; this being long driven at i» 
mercy of the winds, flopped near the 
Seriphus, one of the Cyclades, in the Aigeani 
Here the mother and child were favourably iv. 
ceived by Polydedtes, king of that country, v, 
.even bellowed great pains on the education of ;' c 
young prince; but afterwards, conceiving an aif. 
tion for Danae, and fearing the prefence of r:.; 
young Perfeus (whofe every action announced tl-.:- 
he would one day become a hero,) he fought b::;- 
pretext for fending him away. The one whi 
he adopted, was to give it out that he prn-; 
marrying a Grecian princefs; and to celebrate b, 
nuptials with the greater fplendor, he invited 1 
the neighbouring princes, defiring them ;.t t> 
fame time to bring the mod rare production; ■: 
their country. It was then that to procure the al¬ 
ienee of the young Perfeus, he ordered him toy 
and fetch the head of Medufa, one of the Gm-py 
Such is the beginning of the hiftory ofTVrf.m 
We fhall give the fabulous account of him, .I'-ii: 
fhall be feen how nearly they refemble each (i-i.c:. 

Perfeus, fon of Jupiter and Danae, v.r, i : 
in a brazen tower, which had been built by . v-: 


iius, king of Argos, to confine his daughter urn:. 

^ ' L J 

honing by this means to prevent the accon.jeiv 
ment o t an oracle which had predicted hi:’.: »• 
fhoulcl be deprived of his life and crown !>v 


j 







0 

i 

P 


* 

♦ 

/ 

K 

i 

f 

J 

5 

; 

k 


HISTORY OF PF.RSEUS. 


32i 


(Power of gold, penetrated into the tower, and 
not Iona after, Perleus was born. The guards re- 

O' O 

ported that Jupiter had eluded their vigilance; but 
Acrifius refufing to liflen to their ftory, put to 
death the nurfe of Danae, and enclofed his daughter 

o 

and her child in a cheft, which was thrown into the 
fea. Driven by the waves towards one of the 
Cyclades, this cheft was picked up by Didtys, 
brother of Polydedtcs. By the king of the country 
Danae and her fon were mo Pi hospitably received, 
and Perleus was brought up in his court; but as 
this hero grew up, he gave umbrage to Poly- 
dedtes, who difmiHcd him'his court, and expofed 
him to the moft imminent danger, by fending him 
to kill Medufa and bring him her head. On this 


occafion the gods them Pelves came to his aflxft- 
ance; Minerva lent him her mirror, or rather 
aegis, which ferved as his fhield; Mercury lent him 
his wings, and his fcymeter, forged by Vulcan; 
and Pluto accommodated him with his helmet. 
By the help of the wings he could tranfport him- 
felf wherever he picafed, and the helmet and mir¬ 
ror enableil whoever poftefllxl them to fee all, but 
remained himfelf invifible. 


Thus powerfully fuccourcd, Perfeus furprifed 
Mcdula, and fevered her head from her body. 

I he cruelty of Acrifius, however, could 


not 


prevent the accomplifhmcnt of the oracle. He 


Y 


fell 


I 



MEDUSA AND THE GORGON?, 


3 2a 

fell by the hands of Perfeus, in the manner which 
we jfhall hereafter mention. 

This part of the fable of Perfeus too nearly 
refembles his hiftory to need any explanation, 
We itliall only obferve that his armour, io ede 
brated by the poets, was nothing but an allegory. 

By the wings of Mercury, we are to underfund 
the veiled which carried Perfeus to the conit o: 
Africa. The helmet of Pluto, which he wore upon 
his head, exp re fled the fecrecy neceflarv to ifvurc 
fuccefs to his enterprife ; and the fliield of Min- 'vu 
was the fymbol of prudence, a quality he io nr.: h 
hood in need of. We frail continue the hill-"v 
and fable of Perfeus in relating what we meet mr 


Medufa 


* — 

and Andromeda. 


FABLE OF MEDUSA AND THE GOT-O' 




P 


* « 

daughters, Pephredo and Enyio, born v.uhv.ha 


hair. 


He was likewife father of the Gordons, v.. 1 . 
refide at the extremity of the world, bryoiui 

ocean, near the abode of night. 

were Stheno, Euryale and Mcdula; 

mortal, but Euryale and Stheno were iinninrtJ... 

The <r od of the oet.ia 

C •* 


1'iuir n 

IT 


tifo 



:d pe 



vouth 



** - 


MEDUSA AND THE GORGONS. 

rhr charms of Medufa 


3 2 3 


did noc prevent her tragic end; while deeping die 
was furpriled by Perfeus, who cut off her head, 
from the blood of which proceeded the hero 
Chrifaor, and the horde Pegafus—Chrifaor derived 
his name from a golden {word which he he id in his 
hand when born—! le married Callirhoe, daughter 
ofOccnnus, and was father of Geryon, a famous 
uiant, having three heads.—Pcgaius was fb called 
from beinp- born near tide ocean. At the very in- 

o 

ft ant of liis birth, he ftruck the earth with his 
foot, and immediately produced the fountain 
I lippocrcnc, fo celebrated by the poets; then 
quitting the earth, he afeended to the refidence of 
the gods, where he inhabits the palace of Jupi¬ 
ter, and is employed in transporting thunder and 
lightning. 

ypfchylus, in delcribing the daughters ofPhor- 
cus, fays, they had but one eye and one tooth, 
which they made ufe of alternately. This tooth 
for flrength iurpafled the tufks of a boar ; their 
hands were bra Is ; their hair was formed of liiakes, 
and their look was infhmt death. Pindar fays, 
that the Gordons transformed into (tones thofe 


O 


vfho looked on them, and Per lens, to revenge 
liimli.li on Polydedcs, and the inhabitants of the 
’He of Seripiui-S; changed them into (tones, by 
prelenting to them the head of Medufa. 

I le reprefents Minerva affifting Perfcus vvhiill 

he 


V 2 



9C4 

u r 


MEDUSA AND THE GORCONS. 


he approached Medufa, and relates, that the goo • 
clefs 1'urprifed at the melody which proceeded 
from the groans of the Gorgons and tire hiding u* 
the ferpents, invented a flute in imitation of their, 
and beftowed it on mankind, lie adds, tlui: 
Minerva having broken the horfe Pegafus to the 
bridle, gave it Bellerophon when going to com 


bac the Chimnerl. This hero wifiring to aiur.i 
even to the Ikies, was thrown headlong to in¬ 


earth, and his courier placed among the Hag. 

his jVTetamorphofes fpeaks of 


Ovid in 


ti. 


extreme beauty of Medufa; he fays flu* v,. 
famous for her line hair. Neptune, fm:t:r. 
with her charms, declared his paflion to her : ■ 
the temple of Minerva. The goddels, irritate' 
at this profanation, changed her locks inm 
fnakes, and a Pdf ted Perfcus to furprife and cor. 
quer her. Pegafus being produced in the mar. 
ner we have already related, was mounted q 
Perleus, who flew towards Mauritania, where l.e 
revenged himlelf on Atlas, who had trhikd him 


the rights of hof])itality, by dunging him mm 
a mountain of the fame name. From thence :,r 
directed his courfc into Ethiopia, where 1','- » 


vered Andromeda from a lea monller, win-ii v.. 


on 


the 


: pon 


int of devouring her. 1 Ie 



( \\: 1 . 


o 


transformed into Hones Phincus his rival, ami me 
foklicrs that accompanied him, by Jhewin; 1 , 'km 
the head of Mcdulh: in all his expeditions it v " b 


ij 1 



STORY OF ANDROMEDA. 


3*5 

of fervlce to him, and he at la ft gave it to Mi¬ 
nerva, who placed it in the middle of her argis. 

To thefe ftories Ovid adds, that Perfeus hav¬ 
ing killed Medu!li, took flight over the plains of 
Lybia, and that the drops of blood which fell 
from the Gorgon’s head were changed into fer- 
pents. Such is the origin he gives to the vcne- 
mous reptiles which are met with at every ftep in 
that country. 


STORY or ANDROMEDA. 


o 


id in 


Metamorphofes fays, that 


Calliope, mother of Andromeda, having irritated 
the Nereids by prefuming to compare herfelf 
with them in beauty, drew down their vengeance 
upon the whole country. The oracle of Ammon 
being confulted, returned for anfwer, that to ap- 
peale their anger Andromeda mufl be expoied to 
a lea monfter. 'I’he unhappy princefs was bound 
la ft to a rock, and now almofl within the jaws of 
the devourcr, when Perfeus mounted on Pegafus 
perceived her from aloft in the air, flew to her 
relief, flew the monfter, broke afiinder her chains, 
and leflored her to her parents. Andromeda had 
been promifed in marriage to him who llioukl 
‘’diver her ; Perfeus elponfeel her, but during the 
nuptials, Phincus, nephew of Calliope, to whom 

v ] before 



STORY 07 ANDROMEDA. 


326 

before her delivery fire had been betrothed 
fented himfclf with a troop of armed follows.:, ;: 
the banqueting half and began % moil L: 


P' 


Uu."j.' ' 


combat. 


jperfeus feeing himfclf in clanger of bein' cur;. 
powered by numbers, and willing to punish mr.;: 
effectually this cowardly attack, mecamorpii'.b.: 


them into fcones by prefer,ting to them rhr iu, ; . 
of Medu.fa. 

After tiffs engagement, lie conciliated hie v:< 
the ifle of Scriphus, where lie delivered hi., 
ther from the addreffes of Polydebfes, v,i. 
fought and fievv. lie afterwards vanquifi-rd d:--. 

o 

tus, who had dethroned Acrilius, fathc: 0 : d. 


It was then the Oracle was fulfilled. 




J ^ ' • 4 


* V • 


being informed that his grand fon Per feus v.n 
turning triumphantly to Argos, 


went as l:s 


1 ' 


t . I W 


LariiTur, cn the river Pencus, to meet him. 

Pie arrived while they were engaged 
game at quoits, at that time much in ulc ; Peru 
wiibing to difplay his ftrength, difehany d im 
quoit, but fo unfortunately, that he firm':: P: 
grandfather, Acrifius, dead on the 1'pot. 
feus, unable to forgive himfelf for this inwd 
afticn, flayed a very fhort time at Any)'. 


1 \: - 


f 1 ’ 


engaged Megapel.thus, Ion of Prawns, to cr 1 
kingdoms with him, and went to found !\fi< 
which became the capital of his new domi. 


‘ I 


> 1 ♦ 


c 


tic; 



STORY OF ANDROMEDA. 


3 2 7 


Such is the fabulous account of Perfeus, which 
we find continually intermixed with his hiftory. 

This hero, during his life, was a great patron 
of letters, and built an academy upon Mount 
Helicon. From thefe two motives, joined to the 
luftre of his aftions, he was by the poets exalted 
to the heavens; they honoured him as a demi-god, 
and afhgned him, and the family of his wife, places 
among the conllellations, under the names of 
Perfeus, Calliope, and Andromeda. 

The monfter which was to have devoured An¬ 
dromeda was reprefented by the fign called the 
whale. The recital of the aft ions of this prince 
abounds in the fupernatural, anti as his conquefts 
and expeditions had been executed with equal 
wifdom, rapidity and fuccefs, it was pretended 
that the goes had lent him their arms; Mer¬ 
cury his wings, to exprefs the velocity of his 
progrefs; Pluto his helmet, the fymbol of that 
prudence and dilcretion, which tautdit him to ob- 
ferve the mod profound fecrecy ; and Pallas her 
buckler, to mark the good fortune which pro- 
U'fled him from every danger. 

J o 

This prince had a temple at Athens. Argos 

and the I He of Scriphus only honoured him as a 
hero. 


v 4 , 


1 i X P 5 -A- 



HISTORY OF PERSEUS, 



EXPLANATION of the FABLES which apt. cox. 
NECTED WITH THE HISTORY OF PERSEUS 


JTerseus on his return to Greece, rendered 

* 

thanks to the gods for the fuccefs of his expe- 

i 

dition. He confeerated the prow of his fhip, and 
placed it in the temple of Jupiter on Mount 
Olympus. 

This prow reprefented a horfe, and the veiTel 
was called Pegafus. Olympus was fuppofed to be 

the refidence of the gods. Thefe two circum- 

♦ 

fiances the poets embellifhed by faying, that Pe- 
gafus remained only a moment upon earth, and 
then directed his flight towards the refidence of 
the gods. Perfeus confeerated fome other parts of 
his vefiel in the temple of Apollo, upon Mount 
Parnafifus. 

t 9 

This temple the poets deferibed as the common 
habitation of Apollo and the Mufes. They re ¬ 
prefented the genius of poetry under the form of 
a flying horfe, which furmounts all obflacles; ami 
the fountain Idippocrene, which Pegafus caufcd 
to fpring from the Earth by a blow with his foot, 
is intended to exprefs, that the productions of 
genius are never marked with the fervile (lamp 
of labour, but reiemble pure and cryftal ftreams 
fupplipd from an abundant fQimtain. 



HISTORY OF PERSEUS. 


3 S 9 

The learned were much divided in their opinions 
concerning the Gorgons. Diodorus pretends 
that they were warlike women who inhabited 
Lybia, near the lake Tritonide. They were 
frequently at war with the Amazons their neigh¬ 
bours. In the times of Perfcus they were go¬ 
verned by a queen named Medufa. This hero 
defeated them, and flew their queen; but Her¬ 
cules alone was able entirely to exterminate 
them. By fome ancient authors, the Gorgons 
are reprefented as warlike women of great beauty. 
Admiration at the fight of them banifhed all 
idea of defence, and they availed themfelves of 
this advantage to attack and defeat their enemy. 
This fatal eft eft of their beauty, the poets de- 
feribed by faying, that their looks converted into 
ftone, and deprived of motion. 

Pliny, the naturalift, paints them as uncivilized 
females, extremely formidable. Near the Weftern 
Cape he fays are the Gorgates, formerly inhabited 
by the Gorgons. Hanno, general of the Carthagi¬ 
nians, having penetrated into their country, met 
with women who in fpeed equalled the rapidity of 
a horfe, or even a bird. He took two of them 
who were covered with hair. Their fkins were 
hung up in the temple of Jupiter at Carthage, 

'where they remained till the deftruftion of that 
cit^ 


Paufanias 






HISTORY OP PF.RSEUS. 


Paufanias mentions an hiftorian, who giy es ,, 
fimiiar account. He imagines Medufa to have 
been a barbarous woman of furprifing ftrergth, 
who was conquered by PerFeus. 

Mr. Fourmont, by confulting the eaftern Iaa- 
puap-es, finds in the names oF the Gorgons, thole 

O O J ^ 

oF three veflels which carried on a trade along the 

W 

coaff of Africa, where they' met with gold, ele¬ 


phants’ teeth, horns of different animals and pre¬ 
cious (tones. Thefe commodities were afterwards 
brought into the ports of Phoenicia; this, fays he, 
is the explanation of the tooth, horns and eye 
which were common to the three Gorgons. Thefe 


veflels had prows which reprefented menders; 
PerFeus met, engaged and captured them; his 
veiled was called Pegafus, and carried a fiying 
horfe at her head. When this prince arrived in 
Greece with immenfe riches, there were great re¬ 
joicings For his return, and the poets invented the 
fable of Medufa and the Gorgons. Thefe expla¬ 
nations are fufficient to fhow the lengths to which 
their imaginations led them, when the poets v.dhcd 

* o 

to deferibe the illuftrious actions of tlude In rues 
whom they conffdercd as their lriends and pro¬ 


tectors. 


9 

s 


P L-i 1- A- 



2ELI.ER0P-H0N AND THE CHIMERA. 


33 f 


BELLEROPHON AND THE CHLVLERA. 

jBellerophon, according to Homer, was 
/on of Glaucus, king of Corinth, and grandfon to 
Sjfyplujs. He was fir ft called Hipponous, but 
having killed his brother, or fome other Corin¬ 
thian of diftinction, named Beller, they gave 
him the appellation of Bellerophon, murderer of 
JBeller. 

T 

Compelled to fiy to Argos, he was there favour¬ 
ably received by Prretus; but Antoea or Sthcenobea 
his wife, unable to procure a return of the tender 
lentiments fire entertained for Bellerophon, accufed 
him to her hufband of an attempt to feduce her. 
Enraged at fuch an infult, he firft propofcd to put 
him to death ; but out of refpeft to the rights of 
hofpitality he fent him to lobates, king of Lycia 
and father of Sthcenobea, with a letter, importing a 
defire that he flrould find means to make away 
with the bearer. The hero let out under the pro- 
tedion of the deities, guardians of innocence, and 
arrived fafely in Lycia, on the banks of the river 
Xanthus. lobates received him with joy, and 
according to the cuftonf of thofe times, celebrated 

leafts during nine clays, in gratitude to the gods for 
'die arrival of the young prince. 

d he tenth day he read the letter cf Prtetus, and 

unwilling 



23 ® 


BEI.LER0PH0N AND THE CHIM.iRA. 


unwilling himfelf tp fhed the blood of Bellercpho i 
he Tent him to combat a frightful monfter cahui 
Chiratera, which laid wafte the country. 

This monfter was of immortal defcent; it hA 
the head of a lion., the body of a goat, and the tail 
of a dragon ; it vomited from its mouth volumes 
of fire and fmoke. The young hero however, 
affifted by Minerva, who brought him the hoik 
Pegafus, flew it with his arrows. After this de¬ 
feat of the Chimmra, and feveral other expeditions 
from which he always returned victorious, Iobates, 
convinced of his innocence, gave him in martiap¬ 
his daughter, Philonoe, and declared him fucctflor 


to his throne. Sthoenobea feeing all the crimes (lie 
had engaged in ineffectual, flung with fhanic and 
remorfe, terminated her exiftence by poii'on. 
After the death of Bellerophon, the poets placed 
him among the ftars, and willing to preferve the 
remembrance of the Chimtera, they aferibed to it 
a genealogy j they laid it was daughter of Typhon 
and Echidna. The defeription which they give 


oi 


it is entirely allegorical. In Lycia there were leve- 
ral mountains covered with extenfive forolls, which 
were inhabited by lions and other beads of prey. 
Bellerophon was charged by lobates to rendu 
thefe foreffs lefs dangerous, by hunting and d<‘- 
ftroying the wild beaffs, which Iiaving accom- 
plilhed, it veas pretended that lie had vanquilk' 
tjie Chimaira, 

T’-'' 



III3T0RY OF THE FIRST MINOS, &C. gj '3 

The name of this pretended animal is now ap¬ 
plied to all imaginary mongers. 

The poets added that it vomited forth flames; 
this was to exprefs a volcano, placed on the fum- 
mit of one of thele mountains. 

By a proverb, letters, which contained any thing 
to the difadvantage of the perfons who carried 
them, were called letters of Bellerophon. 

In the fecond volume of the Thefauro Britart- 
nico is to be leen a medal which reprefents Belle¬ 
rophon in the air mounted upon Pcgafus, giving 
tlie finiihing blow to the Chimrera. This medal 
was undoubtedly engraved from the fable of this, 
hero, and not his hiftorv; for every thing con¬ 
curs to prove that Pegafus was a veflel, and not 
a horfe. 


HISTORY OF THE I-IRST MINOS, RHADAMA20 

THL7S, AND SARPEDONi 


Some of the ancients, and in imitation 
of them, feveral moderns, have deferibed Minos 
ibmetimes as a lcgiHator of confummate wifdom 
and juftice, and fomecimes as a fanguinary cruel 
tyrant. 1 he chronicle of Paros explains this 
contradiction in a very fatisfadlory manner, by 
lhowing that there were two of this name. 

The firft, fon of Jupiter Afterius and Europa, was 

brother 



334 


HISTORY OF THE FIRST WlN'OS, 


brother to Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon, and ;-■■■ 
ceeded to the throne of Crete after the death of Ie- 
father. 

This prince efpoufed Rhone, by whom he ; ;: u 

■ 

Lycafte, who fucceeded him, and a danAcr 
named Acacallida. This Minos governed !Y 

people with great mildnefs, and the ifle of CY.tr. 
till that time little known, became under hie . 
vernment much celebrated. In the dr/ceue 
epoch, the marbles of Paros mention two cities 
which he built, Apollor.ia, and Minoia Lydia. 

The laws of this prince have procurred him the 
reputation of one of the greateft legislators of an¬ 
tiquity: to flrengthen their influence and render 
them more facred, he feigned that they were dic¬ 
tated to him by his father Jupiter in a retired 
cavern in the ifle of Crete, where he ufed to rclbrt, 
It is remarkable that almoft all the ancient kgilh- 
tors have thought it neceflary to give a divine 
origin to their laws. Zoroafter had his genius, 


Numa Pompilius his nymph Egeria. Pythagoras 
gave it out that he had defeended into the domi¬ 


nions of Pluto. Epimenides fait! that he had Apr 
fifty years, and that during this deep he had re¬ 
ceived the code of laws which he propofed. from 
the mouth of Jupiter himfelf. Thefe great men 
perceived, that the authority of an individual, cut 
though po fie fifed of kingly power, was not fu.'li- 
cient when it was neceflary to rep refs the ]: a' I i o n '■ 

'»nil 



RHADAMAN'THUS AND SARPF.DON. 



and infpire religious veneration for the laws. This 
perfuafton undoubtedly led them to feck the aid 
of divine fupport; though it is not improbable 
that they had fome knowledge of the glorious 


manner in which the true God had delivered to 

Mofes the two tables of the law on mount Sinai; 

the tradition of this event was univerfaliy diffufed, 

and there is every reafon to believe that each of 

* 

thefe lesiflators adopted Mofes for their model. 
Every ninth year Minos went and encloled himlelf 
in the cavern of Jupiter, to acquire frefh know¬ 
ledge, and to reform or make additions to his laws 


as circumftances required, and experience dictated. 
In procefs of time, this fpecies of fanctuary was 
called Jupiter’s cavern. 

So much were the laws of Minos refpefted by 
antiquity, that Lycurgus went into Crete to acquire 
a knowledge of them, and the major part of thofe 
which he inftituted for the Lacedemonians, were 
copied from the Cretan lawgiver. 

Jofephus thought Minos alone could be 
compared to Mofes, and certainly this eulogium 
cannot be fufpefted when it is given by a Jewifli 
hiftorian. 

Minos was fon of a Phoenician princefs, and 
always maintained a correfpondence with that 
country. It was by this means, probably, he be¬ 
came acquainted with the laws of Mofes, which 

enabled 





336 HISTORY OK THE FIRST MINOS, 

enabled him fometimes to take them as nio^r 
for hie own. 

After having governed his people with r, T ,.,, 
wifdom and moderation, he died in the if- 
Crete, and tliis infeription was placed h;y.:i hi 
tomb: 

“■ MIN’OS, SON’ OF JUPITER.” 


The Cretans afterwards wifhing to infpire a !■<* 
lief that this was the tomb of Jupiter iii:r.icl’f 
effaced the name of Minos. 

The poets, to add greater celebrity to thv cqeltv 
of this prince, deferibed him as principal in.T- c/ 
the infernal regions j /Eacus and Rhadan-anihas 
were joint with him in this office, but both CAk.i 
the fuperiority to Minos. 

To expreis this fuperiority, he was reprefer,:d 
with a feeptre, and near him was an urn w.Vb; 
contained the fate of mortals. 

The Arundclian marbles make this prkvv co:: 
temporary with Eandion, firil king' o! Athens. 

Rhadamanthus, brother of Minos, was a pi nice 
remarkable for his wifdom, inodcfly and teirni'- 
ance. His great prudence and virtue made him 
frequently confulted by Minos in I ho ImisdatiMi 
or execution of his laws, hieing lent by .''mo. 

toefhiblilb thefe laws in tiie Archipelago, lie p.-ined 

^ • 1 ] 
poffcllion of ievcral neighbouring illatu's cunr.y 





l 


history of the SECOnD MINOS, See. 


3 27 




by the power of his perfuafion and eloquence 
His love of juflice led the poets to rank him amon£ 


the infernal judges. 

Sarpedon, brother of Minos and Rhadamanthus, 
difputing the crown of Crete, was vanquished, and 
obliged to fly into Ciria, where he built the city 
Miletus; he then penetrated farther into Afia, and 
arrived at the country of the Milyades, which a 
fliort time after aflumed the name of Lycia, from 
Lycus, king ofPandion, and brother ofFEgeus, who 
took refuge there. 


This Sarpedon muft not be confounded with 
that of the fame name, mentioned by Homer, 
who reigned in Lycia, about a century after the 
former, and led to the fiege of Troy the Lycians, 
who inhabited the banks of the river Xanthus. 


HISTORY of the SECOND MINOS.—STORY of die 
MINOTAUR.—FIRST EXPLOI TS of THESEUS. 

After the death of Minos the firft, 
Lycaftes his fon fuccecded to the throne. His 
reign contained nothing remarkable, and his me¬ 
mory was foon obliterated by his fon, the fecond 
Minos, fo celebrated for his power and conquefts. 
Never could prince before his time boait of fuch 
numerous fleets; with thclc he quickly made him- 

Z Jelf 




HISTORY OF THE SECOND MINOS. 


ielf niafter of the neighbouring ifles. At Lift, 
arrived at the higheft pitch of glory, he law his 
peace and happinefs deftroyed by a circumftance 

which we fhall here relate. 

As the celebration of the Panathensc ahvnvs 
drew to Athens the nioft confiderable perions o! 
Greece, Minos wilined his fon Androgeos to lie 
likewife there. This young prince carried oft' 
every prize, and acquired general efteem and 
admiration. He cemented the moft tender friend- 
fhip with the fons of Pallas, brother to Again 
kino- of Athens. This connexion excited the jea- 

o 

ioufy of dEgeus, as at that time Thefeus his fon 
and heir to the throne was not acknowledged. 


The friendfhip of Androgeos for the Paliantiiles, 
infpired iEgeus with a fpecies of terror; lie Hired 
left Minos, by the pcrfuafion of the fons of Pallas, 
ftiould employ his forces to deprive him of lus 
kingdom. To free himfelf from fo many caic.v 
and apprchenfions, he caufed Androgeos 1.0 ue 
affauinated on the confines of Attica as hevas 
returning to his father. But this crime did no: 
remain long unpunifhed ; Minos prepared a he • 
and invaded Attica, before they were in any con 
ciition to oppofe him. Nyla, a city near Athu: , 
which derived its name from Nylus, brother <■ 

f « 

TEgeus, was the firfl which felt the power of 

arms: yet, though taken by furpril'e, it could have 

rcfillancc had it not have been 

lor 


made a vigorous 1 



HISTORY OF THE SECOND MINOS;' 


339 


for the treachery of Scylla, daughter of Nyfus. 
Perceiving Minos from the battlements of the 
city, Hie conceived a moll defperate paflion for 
l)im. Acquainted with the fecrets of her father 
and a H his refolutions, fie communicated them to 
Minos, and found means to convey to him the 
keys of the city, which Ihe fecretly Hole during 

the night. 


The Cretan monarch profited by this abomina¬ 
ble treachery to gain pofleflion of the city, but 
(truck with horror at the bafenefs of the perpetra¬ 
tor, he refilled to fee her, and Scylla, flung with 
lhame and remorfe for a crime fo dreadful and fo 
fruitlefs, threw herfelf into the fea. The Greeks 
alhamed of having fuffered themfelves to be fur- 
prized, wiflied to conceal the caufe of their defeat 
by pretending that the deftiny of Nyfa depended on 
a fatal lock of hair which grew upon the head of 
Nyfus. They laid, that Scylla having fecretly 
gained pofleflion of it and fent it to Minos, their 
city foon after fell into his hands. The poets 
added, that Scylla was transformed into a lark, 
and her father Nvfus into a hawk, and that he is 
fecn continually purfuing his daughter to puniili 
her bafenefs. Mcgarcus arriving too late for the 
relief of Nyfa, rebuilt it after the departure of 
Minos, and furrounded it with walls of fuch great 
beauty that they weir laid to be the workmanfhip 
of Apollo, prom that time this city bore the 


A' U 


name 



340 


HISTORY OF THE SECOND MINOS'. 


name of Megara. The deftruftion of Nyfo did 

not fatisfy the vengeance of Minos, he proceeded 
to lay fiege to Athens. 

Heaven itfelf feemed to take part in his cir.ile 
An extraordinary drought defolated all Greece, and 
the oracle being confulted, returned for anfwer, t!,a; 
the gods could only be appeafed by the prayers of 
iEacus. This procured relief for part of Greece, 
but heaven was inflexible to Athens and the reft 
Attica. 


0 ! 


The Athenians under the impulle of their terror 
became cruel, and upon the faith of an oracle, which 
commanded the facrifice of fome Grangers, they 
violated the facred rights ofhofpitality, by of u i’ .; 
up the daughters of a Lacedaemonian, named Lya- 
cinthus, who had refided among them but a ihoH 
time. Finding their condition no better for this 
barbarous oblation, they again confulted the ora¬ 
cle, and were informed that they mu fa give the mmi 
perfeft fatisfadi m to Minos. Ambafladois v..ra 
fent to implore the clemency of the victor; tiny 
obtained peace, but on condition that they flioidd 
fend every fevcnlh year to Crete a tribute o! lever, 
youths, and as many young females. Who uc:v 
to be the victims, was decided by lot. 

'Fhe vanquiflicd Athenians endeavoured to biiig 
an odium on the memory of this Minos, by iuua'- 
ing a fable which became extremely {.ur.o.s. 

According to this fable, the king of Crete umi 10 


. » f ‘ ’ * * '* 





HISTORY Of THE SECOND MINOS. 


3D 


confine his prifoners in the noted labyrinth 
conftru&ed by Dmdalus; there they became the 
prey of the Minotaur, a monfter half man and half 
bull, the offspring of Pafiphae, wife of Minos. 
This monfter is merely the production of fancy. 
We learn from hiftory, that Minos inftituted fune¬ 
ral games in honour of his fon Androgeos. The 
Athenian prifoners became the reward of the 
viftors at thefe games; and the firft who obtained 
rhe prize was Taurus, a man of a haughty cruel 
difpofition, who treated his (laves with great feve- 
rity; this, together with his name, which fignifies 
bull, gave occafion to the ftory we have juft 
related. 


The honour of delivering the Athenians from this 
difgraceful tribute was refervecl for Thefeus. The 
ambition of this young prince was to tread in the 
fteps of Hercules. Without being conftrained by 
lot, he obtained of his father /Rgeus permiflion to 
accompany the prifoners. During the equipment 


t equipment 


of the veffel defined to tranfport them to Crete, 
numerous iacridces were offered to render the 
gods propitious. Thefeus, on his arrival at the 
port of Phalera, made a iolemn vow that he would 
fend every year to offer a lacrificc in honour of 
Apollo at Delphos, and the oracle which he con- 
fulted returned for anfwer “ that love would be his 
guule. At the conclufion of the ceremonies the 


wind became favourable, and letting fail lie loon 


= 3 


after 




342 


HISTORY OF TIIE SECOND MINOS. 


i'VP 


I 


after landed in Crete. His youth, ber.'w 

♦ 

heroic deportment caught the eye of 

/ 

daughter of Minos. Determined to fave hi :i 
from deflru&ion, fhe conveyed to him a hallo;' 
thread to affift him in di fen tangling himfdf from 


the windings of the labyrinth. Thefeus arrival at 
the Minotaur, engaged and flew him. 

We fhali now difencumber hiftory from the orna. 
ments of fidlion. Some authors pretend that Tho* 
feus did not fight in 

O 


u,c labyrinth, but puhlicldv i 


the place where they celebrated the funeral game ;«{ 
Androgens. They fay that the prefence of Alia.': e 
infpired the hero with inch courage, that he 
quiJlied Taurus, and that this victory was not 
pleaiing to Minos, as the infolence and ambition of 
this tyrant had already begun to give him umbtage. 
Other hiftoriar.s of more weight and more conform¬ 


able to the circumftances of tire fable, fay, tint 
Ariadne Irnitten with the charms of Thefeu:., fur- 
nifhed him with arms to combat Taurus, arid gave 
him a yuan of the labyrinth, which fhe had ob¬ 
tained from 



'That Thefeus by tin* 
means made his cfcape after the vitflory, ainmi- 
panied by Ariadne, and that both arrived in lain} 
at the ille of Naxos. 

A kcond fable fays, that Thefeus abuiwhuud 
his bene (afire Is, but that Bacchus finding 1 “' ! 
overwhelmed with grief, had no great cli/ticulty m 


perluading her to forget one who had ]- 1 ‘°’• rr 

link'' 1 ’ 


4 



history of THE SECOND MINOS. 


3-J3 


himfelf guilty at once of ingratitude and infidelity. 

Hiftotyj however, contradicts this, and informs 
us, that Onarus, prieft, or rather confidential friend 
of Bacchus, carried off this princefs from the 
iiland of Naxos. That Bacchus loon obtained par¬ 
don for this violence, and efpoufed Ariadne. 

The crown which Bacchus prefentcd to her 
was, by the poets, placed among the conltellaticns. 
Hiftory pur'hing the relation adds, that from 
Naxos, Tu t ■ • .die iile of Delos, 

where he confecrated a ffatue ti. d.e hand of 
Daedalus, which had been given him by Ariadne, 
and which recalled to his mind the too painful 
remembrance of his loft prince Is. In this bland he 
inilituted a dance called the Crane, in which were 
imitated the different .-findings of die labyrinth. 
Thefeus, ever thinking of Ariadne, and inconfo- 


lable for her lofs, forgot a promife which he had 
made his father filtgeus, the moment of his depar- 
Cure. The veffel which carried the prifoners had 
black iiiils, and Thefeus had promifed to hoift 
a white Bag if he returned victorious. For 
the reafons we have already given, the veiled ap¬ 
peared in fight of Athens without the appoint¬ 
ed fignal, and the unhappy /itgeus, perceiving 
only the black fails, call himfelf into lIic lea, 
and there perifhed. From that time the fea of 
Athens was called the yFgran lea. d'o perpetuate 
the remembrance of this fatal event, a chapel was 

7 4 built 



344 


HISTORY OF THE SECOND MINOS. 


builc upon the fea fhore, in which was feen a re¬ 
presentation of Victory without wings, to Per,’ 
that the triumph of Thefeus was known too Lte. 
Thefeus, on his "return to Athens, performed the 
laft duties to his father,- he inflituted fcaHs, ihe 
expence of which was defrayed by the famiii--, of 
thofe prifoners whom he had re Stored to Jibcrtv, 
He caufed medals to be {truck, on whnh ucr: 
feen the reprefentation of a bull ■, but 
rendered the commemoration of this vidoiv lb 

famous, as the care with which the vow made It 

€ 

Thefeus to Apollo was afterwards executed. Fvrrv 




year were 


fent to Delos amballadors 


r ;* 

V. J ' »* • u. 


with olive branches. This embailv wr.o caiird 
Theoria, or a vifit to the god ; and to tiung.-ort 
them, the vefil-1 was employed in which. Thc.vus 
had failed. So carefully did they preferve it and 
keep it in repair, that it Hill exifted near a thou- 
fand years after the death ol Thefeus. From the 
moment the high-priclh had purified this wild, 
till that of ics return, no public executions tool; 
place in Attica. After the flight of Tin lens, 
Minos, determining to punifii Daedalus for having 
favoured the cfcape of this prince, imprifonul him 
with his foil Icarus in the labyrinth, which that 
ingenious man had himfelf conllruded ; but hav- 
ing eafily unravelled its intricacies, the doors were 
opened for him by Fafiphue, wile of Minos, who 
Jikcwifeprocured luma vdicl, to which he lallvne.l 

fat's 





HISTORY OP THE SECOND MINOS. 


345 


l 

s 


fails, till that time unknown to the Athenians. 
By the help of a favourable wind he outfailea 
the galley of Minos, who was purfuing him, 
though provided with a number of excellent 
rowers. Dredalus, having efcaped from his for¬ 
midable enemy, came to an ifland at a great dis¬ 


tance from the main land, and there his fon Ica¬ 
rus, delcending from the fhip with too much pre¬ 
cipitation, fell into the fea and was drowned. 

The poets, to celebrate this flight, pretended 
that Datdalus had formed himfelf wings; and de- 
fcribcd the death of Icarus by laying, that nenleft- 


ing the council of his father, he had attempted 
to four near the fun ; but that the heat melting the 

o 

wax with which his wings were attached to his 
body, he fell into the lea, and there perifhed. 
This lea was afterwards called the Icarian fea. 
Dredalus being at lad arrived in Sicily, there found 
with Co cal us an afylum which had been refilled 
him by levcral princes, from their dread of the 
power of JVIinos.—But even here he was not at 
Ml, Minos purfued him into Sicily, and fum- 

moned 


Cocalus to give him 


up Jiis prifoner. 
Cocalus, unwilling to violate the rights of holpitali- 


and forelceing 


the advantage he might derive 


W O - ‘"O y ^ 

fiom a man of Inch dillingtnihed talents, propoled 
to hiinos to fettle the aflkir in an amicable man- 

This prince imprudently accepted the offer, 
(cuius received him with every mark of dif- 

timflion; 



34 * 


HISTORY OF THE SECOND MI TO-. 


c^i - 


ti.oblion ; but thefe exterior marks of n-fm.k 
coaled the blackcft defign ; he invited in,;; 
ter a bath, and there caulcd him to be iiifiben-.c.:. 
To conceal his treachery, he affe&ed tit 


e liioji 


lively grief for the death of Minos, and reftoad 
the body to his foldiers, who interred it fecretjy, 
The better to conceal the place of his interment, 
a temple was erected to Venus over it, which af¬ 
terwards became very famous. Some centuries 
after, in building the city of Agrigentum, this tomb 
was difeovered, and the afhes of that prince cd- 
ledted, and font to the ifland of Crete. Tluis 
died the fecond Minos, who would have been 
efteevned one of the greateft princes of his time. 


had it not been for the malignity of the tray; 
poets, who con dandy endeavoured to fix a re¬ 
proach upon his memory. As there were r,vo <b 
the name of Minos, who are frequently r 'iifonnJm 
together, to dii’inguilh them \vc nihil remark, 

L ) J 


that the 


f i i it 


J 


Alhru') siv.i 


F.uropn; the Frond, of Lycaftus and ; :.i, <.*•:/ 


ter of Corvbas. 


The firfl had t".o br 


Rhadamap.thus and Sarpedon. Tin 


1 . I ' 
' 


i: 


no no. 


The fird had only two chdh.r, Ir-rama 
and Acncndilhi ; the fecond was /utiicr to ..nmo 
r/eos, (jlaui-m - , Deucalion, Molus, -M’i.i.n.-, *> 

V ' . 

JPhrvdr.i. "i hr fir ft was a peaceful p: nee, 


1 I . V ' • f 
. \ ' » * 


oi ’ulli. i ''vtirement j the fecond r. 
rior a:*.d .. conqueror, whole peace war - ouo- -- 


■> 

J 


V . 


V 



PHAEDRA AND HIPPOl.YTUS. 


347 


difturbcd by domeftic misfortunes. After the 
death of the fecond Minos, Deucalion mounted 
the throne, and was fucceeded by Idomeneus 
Jiis fon. This laft diftinguiflied himfelf much at 
the fiege of Troy, but in his return was forced to 
quit his kingdom and retire into Italy, where he 
founded the city of Tarentum. The illuftrious 
author of Telemachus has treated this part of the 
hiftory of Idomeneus in a manner which has pro¬ 
cured him immortal honour. 


HISTORY OF PII/EDRA AND RIPPOLYTUS, 



fter the death of tire fecond Minos, 
Deucalion his fon afccnded the throne of Crete. The- 
feus lent to him to demr.iu. hi:, fumr Phmdrain mar¬ 
riage. His requeft was granted ; but the blood of 
Minos was fared to be deftrudtive to the repofe of 
The feus. This: princefs,on her arrival at Athens, call 
her eves on the young 1 ligpolytus, fim of Thefeus 
and t.he Amaru n Auciope ; this fgh.t was luffici- 

* V* 

cut to kindle in her bolom dm m oil rriiv.in.il id 
etvully paflton. Pretendin'; :i vie (ire to anveufe 

* * lx 

VcniiSj die implacable ei emy c >f her houle, ihc 
1 -unlc a temple to her oji a mounuiin; here ihe 
daily ruorteu to ofTer I rein, iacriliec, but her de¬ 
votion proceeded from ajiother motive, hrom 

the 



PH At DR A AMD HIPPOLYTUS. 


34 8 


the top of this mountain fhe could fee Hippolytus 
in a plain below, difplay his ftrength, addrds, 
and grace in performing his exerciies. 

She herfelf gave the name of Hippolytion to 


this temple, and it afterwards was called the temple 
of Venus the Obferver. The indifference and con¬ 


tempt of Hippolytus rendered life a burden to 
her; fhame and defpair at having made an unite - 
cefsful declaration, determined her to put a period 
to her exiftence; but unwilling to die without re¬ 
venge, fhe left behind her a letter, importing, 
that Hippolytus was the moll criminal of men, 
and the only caufe of her death. 

Thefeus, ft ruck with horror at the fight of this 
proof of his guilt, fent immediately for Hippoly- 
tus, to punifh him for the attempt of which Phae¬ 
dra had accufed him. 

The young prince haftened to obey the fum- 
mons in all the fecurity of innocence; but Ins 
horfes, urged by the whip, flew with him over 
rocks, which breaking the axle of his carriage, 
his feet became entangled in die harneis, and thus 
unfortunately perifhed this youthful hero. Some 
Authors relate his death in a dificruit manner. 
They fay, that he arrived in prefence of hi:, lather, 
and loft his life as he was leaving 'Pro van', 
from which his father had banillied him, k.n.u! 
with maledictions. The unhappy 1 Iippulsm-, 
forrowfully relic'fling on the uiijull tli.plcalmu 


him over 



ph.-edra and hippolytus. 349 

of his father, had no thought of guiding his 
horfes, which drew him over a precipice, where 
he perilhed. This ftory has produced feveral 
mafterly performances, of which the beautiful 
tragedy of Racine mu ft be confidered as the 

principal. 

The poets likewife took pofTeffion of this event. 
They pretended that Thefeus implored the af- 
fjftance of Neptune, and claimed the accom- 
plifhment of the promife made by that god to 
grant his firft petition. This too credulous and 
difconfolate father, unwilling to embrue his hands 
in the blood of his own fon, abandoned him to 
the wrath of Neptune, who raifed from the bot¬ 
tom of the ocean a horrible monfter, which fo 
terrified the horfes of Hippolytus, that they ran. 
precipitately with him over rocks, and occafioned 
his death in the manner already related. 

Thefeus, when too late, difeovered the inno¬ 
cence of his fon, and the fable adds, that Efcula- 
pius, god of medicine, reftored him to life ; but 
the Athenians, who were witneftes to the death 
of this young prince, conftantly rejected this fa¬ 
ble. In procefs of time, Hippolytus was adored 
as a divinity at Troezcne. Diomedcs railed a 
temple to him, and rendered him divine honours, 
rhe Troezenians affirmed that he was not dead, but 
that he was placed among the conftellations as 
conductor of Charles’s wain. In the time ofNuma 

Pompilius 


i 



HISTORY OF D/T2DALUS AXD 


35° 


Pompilius there appeared an impoftor of the r.arr.c 
of Hippolytus, who inhabited the 
He affumed the furname of Virbius 



and gave out that lie had been re Peered to 
life by Efculapius. It appears that it was t!;h 
pretended Hippolytus who gave oocafion to roe 
ftory of Efculapius being flruck dead by Jupii-r, 
for bavin? refbored a mortal to life. 

o 

This fable was unkhovvn to the Athenian', an; 
by no means agrees with the opinion era-mined 
by theTrcezenians concerning the true Hipnolyras, 


HISTORY OF D/EDALUS AND THE Cld i'AN 

LAB YR INI I-I. 


13 /edalus great grandfon of Krceiracm, 
king of Athens, was the moll ingenious and cele¬ 


brated artift of Greece * a Ikilful architect and 
expert fculptor. 

It was his fertile genius which invented dec 
axe, the level, and the* auger. The honour n! 
having fir ft made ufe of fails is Jikewife alcribed to 
him, but for nothing was he more famous titan Hr 
the per feci ion he attained in the art of Iculpum'; 
his flatties were laid to be animated, and ft was pre¬ 
tended that they even walked. '1'his fable is 

founded upon the flow progrcTs which the Grabs 

hail 



THE CRETAN LABYRINTH. 


35 1 


hud made in fculpturc, before the time of Daedalus. 
Their flatues, which were extremely rude, and 
inelegant, had neither eyes, arms, nor legs. Some 
of thefe fhapelcfs maiTes are fall to be feen in the 
cabinets of the curious. Daxlalus in making his 
fhuues, took the human form for his model, and 
exactly obferved its proportions. He gave them 
eyes, even fuccecdcd in producing a refemblance, 
added arms to the body, and feparated the legs 
like thole of a man in the aft of walking. He after¬ 
wards however became more famous by his mif- 

W 

fortunes than by his performances. Minos was 


formidable to all Greece, audit was with uRonifh- 
ment they iaw a iingle individual elude his ven¬ 
geance, and brave his power, merely by the efforts 
of his own genius. Unhapjiily for this artift he 
was not fnperior to jealoufy, which involved h i m 
in guilt and eclipfcdMiis glory. He had taken 
delight in inftrufting Talus one of his nephews. 
The pupil loon became equal to his mafter; lie 
invented the potter’s wheel j and having one dav 
lound the jaw of a ferpent with fharp teeth, he 
made ufe of it in cutting a piece of v/ood: from 

this he caught the idea of a law, an inftrument fo 
limple, and yet f> ufcful. 

Drudalus poiiclTed too much penetration not to 
perceive that filch inventions were of real fervice 
to mankind, and rendered the tlifeoverers of them 
immortal, fearful of being lurpaffcd by Talus, he 

found 



HISTORY OF D-ffiDALUS AND 


35 s 

found means fecretly to make away with him. Hr 

was furprifed in the a£t of filling up a grave, ami 

being interrogated concerning this extraordinary 

occupation, he anfwered, that he had been burv- 

♦ 

ing a ferpent. This, by exciting fufpicion, 
the difcovery of the crime. He was condemn^ 
to die by the Areopagus, but this fenttnre v..h 
afterwards mitigated to perpetual banifhmcn;. 
deteftable an action having rendered him o ’dm 
Athens, he took refuge in Crete, w 


cd n 


*• - 


i. * r 


here ! n 




extraordinary abilities he was gladly receiw 1 
Minos. It was during his relidence in 
that he built the famous labyrinth near the ,:':y . 
Gnoffus. 

Pliny allures us, that Daedalus had been u\ 1 gyp. 
and had taken the model of his labyrinth 1m;n t;..:; 
near Thebes, one of the wonders of the world; be 
it is certain that he only imitated the windii gs. and 
the chambers of the pafifages, which do not 
flitute an hundredth part of the Lgyptinu l.diy*;;.:. 1 ;, 

In the time of Pliny, the Cretan lahyriCi >• i 
longer cxilled; whereas to this day are Hit >. c 
immenfe and magnificent velliges of thato; i ■. 
though built ages before the other. 1 he 
of Crete lee ms to have been nothing mm" 
vaftprilon. Some authors lay only a 
whence the ftone was drawn which was c:i; 


* > 


I . * 


, i > 1 i M i ' 


>\ l 


in building the principal cities of Civic. 

However that were, Daedalus, obliged to h> b , - 1 

Miev.-. 



historical accounts of THESEUS. 3 52 


Minos took flicker in Sicily, where probably he pal- 
fed the reft of his days. The time and manner of his 
death are unknown. To cxprels his gratitude to 
Cocalus, he formed a canal which receives the river 
Alabas now called Cantcra. On a lock near the 
city of Agrigentum he built a itrong citadel, the 
avenues to which were lb difficult, that they might 
be defended by an inconliderable number of men. 
Here Cocalus refidcd. The works of Daedalus 
were certainly numerous, but in the courle of time, 
from his great reputation, all thofe which po fie* fled 
anv ureat excellence were attributed to him. 

With relpecl to Talus, the poets feigned that 
beino- thrown by his uncle Daedalus from the top of 
the citadel of Minerva, he was by that goddeis, the 
p rote hi refs of the arts, metamorphofld into a par¬ 
tridge. 


s was 


The mo ft fkilful of the pupils of Daedalu 

Eudocus; he was at the fame time the mo ft grateful. 

In all his misfortunes he never abandoned his 

mailer. He is likewife the only one whole name 

* 

has defeended to poflerity. 


DIFFERENT HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS CON- 

C MR NT NO Till ’.SICAS. 


HP 


1 heseus palfed for the fon of Neptune 
and /Iithra; but was in reality ffin of /'Egeus, king 
of Athens, who was lineally defeended from the 


A , 


1 1 ]•(•* t r 
& 1 ' * 



354 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS. 


great Ere&heus, king of Attica, and feveral other 
countries. The feus, by his mother’s fide, was 
grandfon of Pelops, king of Peloponnefus, one of 
the mod powerful princes of his time. 

Pelops had feveral children, one of whom, named 
Pittheus, formed the city of Trcezene, and lnd a 


to 


daughter called vEthra, who became the wife 
iEgeus. This prince compelled by necefiity 
leave her, before his departure carefully concealed 
a fword under the fragment of a rock, ordering 
iEthra if (he fhould have a fon, to keep him till 
he fhould have ftrength to raife that done and take 
poiTeftion of the fword, promifing to acknowledge 
him, on bringing that proof of his birth. Thefens 
from his earlieft infancy announced by his every 
action, that he would one day be a great hcio. 
Hercules coming to vifit Pittheus v/hilft he was at 
table, laid afide his lion’s flcin; feveral children 
were terrified at feeing the form of this terrible 
beaft, but Theieus, then only feven years of age, 
feizing an axe which a Have held in his hand, ad¬ 
vanced to combat the animal, 
frequent proofs of the courage of her fon, at lad 
difclofed to him the fecret of his birth, on which 
he railed up the Hone, took poffefiion of the fword, 
and fet out from Trcezene for the purpolc of ma- 
king himfelf known to his father /Egcus. In his 
way thither he delivered the roads from 
robbers and wild be alls which infefted them. 

Mis 


jEthra having 




e 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS O# THESEUS. 355 

His firft exploit was fo attack Periphates* who, 
armed with a bar of iron, lay wait for palfengers in 
the environs of Epidaurus and killed them. The- 
feus conquered and flew him, and ever after pre- 
ferved this weapon as a monument of his firft victory. 

On his arrival at Athens, he found the houfe 
of yEgeus involved in the greateft calamities. Ac- 

W 

cording to the accounts of the poets, Medea had 
taken refuge there, and formed the projedt of 

4 

marrying Atgeus. They fay that her {kill in magic 
enabling her to penetrate into every thing, flic 
eafily difcovered the youthful Thefeus; that re¬ 
garding him as an obftacle to her defigns, and 
certain that the king did not yet know him to be 
his fon, ihe infufcd fufpicions intoiEgeus, and per- 
fuaded him to poifon Thefeus at a banquet. Thd 
fatal cup was prepared, and the innocent youth drew 
near to receive it, but firft unfheathed his fword, 
and brandifhed it before the king’s eyes. That 
inftant he was acknowledged by ^Egeus, who dallied 
away the cup, and declared him publicldy his fon 
and fucceflbr to his throne. Pallas, fon of Pandion, 
had fome pretenfions to this throne; he regarded 
^Egeus himfelf as a ftranger to the royal blood of 
the lire<fthides, and having taken arms to difpoflels 
him of the kingdom, was defeated and flain with 
his adherents by Thefeus. After this vi<51ory, 

1 hefeus went to engage the bull of Marathon, 
which he took alive, and afterwards facrificed. It 


A A 2 


was 



354 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS. 


great Ere&heus, king of Attica, and feveral other 
countries. Thcfeus, by his mother’s fide, was 
grandfon of Pelops, king of Peloponnefus, one of 
the mod powerful princes of his time. 

Pelops had levcral children, one of whom, named 


Pittheus, formed the city of Trcezene, and had ; 




ZEthra, who became the 


% V 


a 


r 


* wile oi 

TEgeus. This prince compelled by necefllty to 
leave her, before his departure carefully conceded 
a fword under the fragment of a rock, ordering 
ZEthra if Hie fhould have a fon, to keep iiim till 
lie fhould have Hrength to raife that Hone mid take 


poirellion of the fword, promifing to acktruietb. 
him, on bringing that proof of his birth. 


e 


J iIViCUS 


from his carliell infancy announced by hhe-my 
action, that he v/ould one day be 


a < \ 1*' * * •** • \ \ 

» l V. 4 % * » O • 

l. ' 


1 

• -it 


Hercules coming to vifit Pittheus whihe ne v.at 
table, laid afide his lion’s flan; feveral (if.ld.tn 
were terrified at feeing the form of tins t; 
beafl', butTheleus, then only feven u.usni 
feizingan axe which a Have held in his hand 
vanced to combat the animal. A ickr.i h tv;:., 
frequent proofs of the courage of in r ion, . 
difclofed to him the fecret of liis birth, <a wlmd 
he railed up the Hone, took poiTcflion ol t:.<• fw<; 
and fet out from Trerzenc for the pm pole ol ma 
king liimfelf known to his father dig'Tiv In in 


r ;• ( "i 
. , i \ i 


. I 
/ » < 


way thither he delivered the mads Amu 
robbers and wild beads which infilled tv. si. 


Il it' d 


Ii 


f # 



HISTORICAL ACCOdNlS ofi THESEUS. 


3i6 


His firft exploit was to attack Periphates, who, 
armed with a bar of iron, lay wait for pafiengers in 
the environs of Epidaurus and killed them. The- 
ieus conquered and (lew him, and ever aftef pre- 
ferved t/iis weapon as a monument of his firft vi&ory. 

On his arrival at Athens, he found the houfe 
of N.. re us involved in the orcateft: calamities. Ac- 

»_ ‘ K-* 


had 


cording to the accounts of the poets, Medea h; 
taken refuge there, and formed the project of 
marrying /Egeus. They fay that her (kill in magic 


enabling her to penetrate into every thing, fhe 
cafily difeovered the youthful Theleus; that re¬ 
garding him as an obftacle to her defigns, and 
certain tliat the king did not yet know him to be 
his Ion, ihe infufed infpivions into /Egeus, and per- 
luaded him to poilbn T’hefeus at a banquet. The 
fatal cup was prepared, and the innocent youth drew 
near to receive it, but firft unfiteathed his fword, 
and brandifhed it before the king’s eyes. That 
inftant he was acknowledged by fEgeus, who dallied 
away tlic cup, and declared him publickly his fon 
and liiccefTor to his throne. Pallas, fon ofPandion, 
had iome pretenfions to this throne; he regarded 
fl’.geus himfelf as a ftranger to the royal blood of 
the I'.rccthides, and having taken arms to difpoftefs 

lum of the kingdom, was defeated and Plain with 
his adherents by Theleus. After this victory, 

1 ddar, went to engage the bull of Marathon, 
Much he took alive, and afterwards facriliced. Jt 



3 5 li 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS. 


was a Ihort time after this, that he undertook 


< to 


deliver his country from the fhameful tribute im. 
pofedupon it by the fecond Minos. 

This account of the poets is a mixture of tk: 
fabulous and hiftorical. 

We lliall lee in the hiftory of Medea, tint ti. : : 
too famous woman could not pofiibly be prdent 
the court of /Fgeus when he recognized hr, hr, 
and that coniequently the poets have attributed :i 
her crimes of which Hie never was guilty.. 

The feus accompanied the Argonauts to 
conqueft of the Golden Fleece. He went 
■Hercules to the war of the Amazons, lie v,s 
with Pirithous at the battle between the Ccnt.nr- 
and the Lapithrc, and with Meleager at the hum: o: 

the Caledonian boar. 

It was this hero who exterminated two tyrar.o (■: 
Sicily, famous for their crimes and barbarity. 

The Ill'll, called Phalaris, enclofed men alive in.: 




’VK.l 


I • 

brazen bull, and then placed a flow fire u:k..t 

1 I 1 ♦ 

when the cries ol the Juftcring wretches rewinnan 

4 

the bellowing of a bull. Pcrillus, the inventor </. 

I I * 

this horrible machine, was the lirll who proved :m 

1 

own work, being put into it by the comm.’.no n 

Phalaris. 

The iecond tyrant was called Procnifhw. 1 

nioniler tiled to place fbrangers on a bed of h' nll > ;1,! " 
lop oil'that part of their body which exceeded me 

lcmrth of the bed. 

„ PirirljoU', 


s i 



HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THF.SEUS. 


357 


« % 

Pirithous, king of the Lapithrr, a people of Thef- 
july, contracted the mod: intimate friendfhip.with 
Thefeus. This prince having heard the exploits' 
of Thefeus much boaded of, wifhed to become 
acquainted with him, and to make trial ofhis valour; 
but thefe two heroes upon knowing each other, far 
from fighting, mutually vowed an eternal friend- 
ihip. Some time after, Pirithous efpoufed Deida- 
mia, likcwife called JJippodamia, and invited 
Thefeus and the Centaurs to his nuptials. The 
latter being heated with wine attempted to carry off 
the bride, and killed feveral of the Lapidate who 
op poled them. But this outrage on his friend was 
loon revenged by Thefeus, with the blood of the 
greater part of the Centaurs. Ceneus, one of the 
mod famous of the Lapithm, being crufhed under 
heap of trees, was feigned to have been metamor- 
phofed into a bird. 

Thefe Centaurs were a people of Theffaly, who 
hrd (omul out the art of breaking horfes, and em¬ 
ploying them in battle. This method of fighting 
can fed fo much aftoniihmcnt, that in the fird mo¬ 
ments of furprile horfes and men were l’uppofed to 
be one animal, which they deferibed as half man, 

and half boric. They were called 1 lippocentaures 
from the word hippos , horl'e. 

I he mod tender (ricndlliip, as we have faid, uni¬ 
ted 1 lie feus and Pirithous; they engaged in feveral 
adventures together, fome of which' were lliccefsful. 

A A 3 Helen, 



358 HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF TKiSF.US. 

Helen, daughter of Tyndarus, though at that tin:,' 

* 

very young, was celebrated for her beauty thmi.y k 

V 

out all Greece. Pirithous and The feus ftmu-,; 
the projedt of gaining poflcflion of her bv 
For this purpofe they went to Sparta, -.i g.-, 
fucceeded in their attempt, Helen fci! by i,-,t - 0 
Thefeus. 

To make fome compenfation to his mend Pi: i- 
thous, Thefeus promiletl to accompany him ii,to 
Epirus, and alii ft him in the defign of carrying off 
Proferpine, wife of Aidoneus. This lccond ent-.-r- 
prize proved fatal to them. Pirithous was * ,tn 
in pieces and devoured by the dogs of Aidoneu.-, 
and Thefeus being made priloner, (lid not tun- 
ver his liberty till granted to the intruty of Her¬ 
cules. The prifon of Thefeus being in the itlar.d 
of Scyros, where are the lake Acheruia, and the 
rivers Acheron and Cocytus, the poets 
©ccafion from this circumftance to feign, that : c 


to< 




defeended into the infernal regions to catty Hi 
Proferpine, that he was confined by Pinto, and 
owed the refioration of his liberty to the interc 


Ikon 


of Hercules. 

Thefeus had fcveral wives. The fitil vasAn- 
tiope, or Hippolyta, queen of the Amazon'-, aid 
mother of Hippolytus, vvhofe hiftory we It,or al¬ 
ready given. Hercules bellowed her in mania: •' 
on Thefeus in reward lor the alTiftance he had n u. n, ■ 
ed from him in his war with thole martial lem 1 ' ■ 



HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS. 


3 59 


His next wife was Phaedra, daughter of the fecond 
Minos, fo well known for her criminal and fatal 
attachment to the young Hippolytus. 

During the imprifonment of Thefeus, the un¬ 
grateful Athenians, forgetful of his important fer- 
vices, took part with his enemies. Caftor and 
Pollux came at the head of a numerous army to 
recover their filler Helen. This was called the 
war of the Tyndarides. To give a better idea of 
the ingratitude of the Athenians, it is necefiary to 
recount the elTential benefits they had derived 
from Hercules. He had united the twelve towns 
of Attica into the fingle city of Athens, and no 
longer made laws but with their joint confent. 

This novel form of government exciting ge- 
neral curiofity, Athens was reforted to from all 
parts of Greece. Thefeus, fearful left fo great a 
number of Grangers (boilId difturb the public order, 
divided the people into three bodies : the firft was 
compoled of the nobility j—the fecond of mecha¬ 
nics ; —and the third of the pcafantry. 

Whatever privileges they thought necefiary to 
their happinefs, were granted by Thefeus ; he only 
referved the right of fuperintending the preserva¬ 
tion of the laws, it was then he introduced the 
worfhip of the goddels Pytho, or Perluafion, to 
unite by her means their minds and interefts. 

lie revived the Iflhmic Games, in honour of 
Neptune: he carefully fupported and propagated 

a a 4 religion. 





historical accounts of thesf.us, 


religion, perceiving that this alone could curb 
human paflions. He infti tuted feafts winch nil-i 
be frequented with fafety, as he had, after tit 
ample of Hercules, delivered Greece froi 


it 


(x ■ 


om t 


robbers and wild beads which before infefred it. 
Thefeus, in uniting; the twelve towns of Attica, 

J 

had no other intention than to render the Athe¬ 
nians more powerful, and did not forcli. • tint in 

ferving them lie was defiroying hjs own a'.i.h-iritv. 

♦ 

Before this time, each town having its p.n.i; ol.ir 
intereft, had no thought of governing; the) tea! d 
the other towns which Thefeus ini Git t-u; ■ v <-> 


retain them in obedience; but by this m.:!.,;; 
Thefeus had no more power at his difpol'.ii. 

He had only referved for himfelf the ifjii.'in- 
tendence of the laws, he could no longer rnllirce 
obedience to them, and thus he annihilated his, own 
power. 

In vain did he redy on the gratitude of the Athe¬ 
nians, in vain did lie increafe the privileges ol tin-, 
people ; it was perceived that he could not c*mq d 
lheir obedience, tiiey wiihed to have the authuriy 
in their own hands, and all the efforts of Tliclcus 
to preferve his prerogatives feenicd adls of tyranny 
or defpotilm. 

It might have been thought that Thefeus, cornea 
with glory, had only to repofe himfelf in the en¬ 
joyment of’publie gratitude; but tilt: Atheni.in-. 
jealous even of the lliadow of power whit h re- 


7 




HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS- 



mained to him, grew weary of the refpeft they owed 
iiim ; they fidet! with his enemies, bafeiy abandoned 
him, and forced him into exile. Perceiving the 
impoffibility of governing a corrupt people who 
widied continually to be flattered, he fecretly fent 

his children into Euboea to Elphenor, fon of Calco- 
don, anti went himfelfto the town of Gagetta, where 
he imprecated the vengeance of the gods upon 
the un"ratefill Athenians. This place is ftill called 

O L 

the field of Maledictions. After this. The feus 
embarked for the court of Lycomedes, king of the 
ifland of Scyros. This treacherous monarch, a 
friend of the Athenians, received him with hofpi- 
tality only the more effectually to deftroy him. 
Under pretence of lhowing him the extent of the 
ifland and his numerous fleets, he led him to the 
top of a lofty rock from which he precipitated him 
headlong. 

o 


Thus perifhed one of the mold illuftrious heroes 
v. e meet with in the annals of antiquity. 

Mis death happened during the thirteenth year 


of the reign of Mneffhe 


k was not till after the death of this king that the 
< hildren of Thefeus returned to Athens, and af- 
eended the throne. Thefe hiCts are attefled by 
the marbles of Paros, and all the glory which the 
Athenians afterwards acquired on fo many different 
octal ions, could never efface the remembrance of 
(,u ‘ ir ingratitude. 'The fword of juflice is fre- 




g62 HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THTSFl q 

quently too feeble to punifh the crimes of a r.utior 
but impartial hiftory eternizes their fhame, citvoLc- 
them to the cenfure of future ages, and 
deteftation of every lover of juftice and 
The power of the Athenians was not great 
to prevent Greece and the whole univerfe (b.r.i 
prelerving the memory of Thefeus. 
death they called to mind his illuflrious ac.ti , 
and his veneration for the gods ; thev 


r'w. 
^ a V 


VI! UK*. 

cnoi,:\: 


Aiicr i,h 


* rnuirrtd 


him the honours granted to heroes, and r>c;: 
raifed him a temple. The Athenians AcrAun 
fcvcral ages after, blufbing for the crinv 


..id;: 


Vv t4 0 v, 4 , 


* n ’ ■ V 
* • . 


t ’ I 


anceftorb, endeavoured in feme meafure to < i.ite 
it, by honouring as a divinity the hero 
burn among them. 

Thefeus, in imitation of Bacchus, had, bind:/: ! i> 
life, confecrated his hair in the temple of Apdi.i. 
The manner in which he wore it was rrbiui 
des, as that of Bacchus was called after da 
of that god. They were afterwards hiiiuuo: ! r 
Hector. 

Thefeus had by Phaedra a celebrated ion r.d.hd 
Demophoon. In his way to the Trogn v,.m !/‘ 
was hoipitably received by Phillis, queen of 1 hnue 
and daughter to Lycuigus, who reigned "vr 
part of the fame country. This prince Is Ihii.n- 
phoon married, but quitting her footi alar, l |ls 
unhappy wife, unable to fupport the pains of ;d>- 
fence, put a period to her cxnlence. 'ilw p :I: 



HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THESEUS. 363 


pretended that Ihe was changed into an almond 
tree. The name of Phillis nearly approaching to 
that of philla, an almond tree, gave occafion to 
this fable. They added, that the almond tree 
blooms early in the fpring, becatife Phillis in this 
manner exprefled the joy fire felt at the return 
of Demophoon, which happened in the fpring. 

Under tire Archontate of Phtudon, Cimon per- 
iuaded the Athenians to fearch for the relics of 
the great Thefeus. The tomb was difeovered by 
means of an eagle which was turning up the earth 
with its beak, and on being opened was found to 
contain the allies and arms of that unfortunate 
hero ; thefe the Athenians received with tiie great- 
ell' veneration, and placed them in the middle of 
their city. 

Thefeus during his life had always been the 
friend of the unfortunate; never was afTiftance 


implored of him in vain. It was therefore deter¬ 
mined that his burial place fhould be for eyer a 
ficred and inviolable afylum for all who feared 


the violence of their per (ecu tors 
alter his deadi, Thefeus was dyled 


fo that long 

the bene fabler 


of mankind, and the protestor of the cliArefied. 


HISTORY 



3 6 4 


HISTORY OF HERCULES* 


► 


HISTORY OF HERCULES. 


"W e chink we fin a 11 oblige our reader- i\ 

w 

prefenting them with what the author of the- travel? 
of Anacharfis has written upon this mod iiluflrious 
of heroes. 


“ His fame, and the monuments of his giorv, reach 
to the very extremities of the globe. lie was 
defeended from die kings of Argos, but riiil-d 
for the fon of Jupiter, and Alcmena, wife of A:r.- 
phytrion. 

“His hifcorv is a ferics of prodigies, or rather i: 

- 4 . 

is the hifiory of all thofe who have borne tlx- kmc 
name and undergone the fame labours. Wri:.-:, 


have exaggerated their exphics, united them in oil¬ 
man, and attributed to him every illuftriui!: u.-rti .u 
wiiofe author was unknown ; they have lna !■. .1 inri 
with a glory which feems to redound upon the \d. k 
human fpecies, for the i iercules they adore i> a 
phantom of grandeur railed between heaven ai.-l 
earth, as it were, to fill up the interval. 

<( The real Hercules differed from other men in 
nothing but his flrcnech, nor refembled the gak 
of the Greeks in any tiling hut Iiis vvcakiuk.” 

Among the moll celcbr.iLed of this name, Ike 
clones Siculus mliingiiifhes three. 

The ilrll iruvcIJed into Africa., ami nc<ir Chun: 



HISTORY OF HERCULES,) 

erected thofe famous pillars which told the traveller 
that it was in vain to with to pal's beyond them. 

The fecond was born in Crete, among the Dac¬ 
tyl i Idmi, and fir ft inftituted the Olympic Games. 

The third. Ion of Jupiter and Alcmena, was born 
at Thebes, and rendered himfelf famous by a thou- 
land exploits. There exifted another Hercules, 
more ancient than the three we have juft men¬ 
tioned, but as the Greek writers reckon more than 
forty of this name, it would be ufelei's and tedious 
to give an account of them. We mult however 
remark, that the origin of this name feems to be 


derived from the Phoenician word harckd , trader. 
It was a name given in general to chiefs of colonies, 
celebrated navigators, and illnftrious Grangers. 
We are particularly confirmed in this opinion, on 
feeing that the Tyrian 1 icrcules was called Thafims,- 

the Piu.oniei.in, Agent)r; the Grecian, Alceus, or 
Abides j and the bgvptian, who was concern- 


• « 



Cu'iiP, and general of his troops, 


Ozochor. 


It was f lu bes which gave birth to Abides, the 
mofl illlilli ions of the name of Hercules. 

He was fun to Alcmena and Amphytrion., a dc- 
U.cndant of I’erleus. 'i !i:v, prince, heir to bloc- 
tiion in right of his wife, was appointed iiiccelibjt 
to the kingdom of Myccna, and after him his ion, 
Abides; but Amphytrion, having accidentally ki! . 
led his father in law Ueclnun, was obliged to flv 

and 



•HISTORY OF HERCULES* 


S 




366 

and efcape to Athens. Sthenelus then hr- 

A ^ ^"‘Iw 

king of Mycenae, and was fucceeded by his f 0n 
Euryftheus, who was born at the fame time 
Alcides, ib that the latter found himfelf the fubf/■ 
of Euryftheus. 

The great reputation of Hercules foon ltd t> 
poets to intermix fidion with his hiftorv. ! Ij s 
ftrength, his courage, and his furprifing cx». io.ts 
flattered human vanity; but the impoflibiiitv </ 
attaining the fame excellence, made them attbbma 
to him divine extradion, and fay he was defer.;-. ! 
from the fovereign of the gods. 

o o 


' ' * f S J 


Jupiter, lays tiierable, ailiimed the form of A 

phytrion, and became the father of Abides. Ti 

night on which the Thunderer pradiled iim f nu.i 

was of longer duration than ufual. Tuna, 

^ • r 

of the grandeur to which this hero wabAffri, 
retarded the moment of his birth, in order :o if an. 

the kingdom of Mycenae to Euryftheus by right <■' 
feniority. Knowing likewiie that Jupitu h from 
an oath, that he who fiould be firft bom, ih'"f 
have command over the other, flic difgiiifd . 
felf as an old woman, and under the r.ame of . 
na, ft* a ted hcrfclf at the door of Alcni". - ... u; . 
taring magic incantations to retard the b : .. 
Alcides. (fdanthis, companion of A 'cir.cna, hi.. 

I 

perceived her, deceived the goddi Is Lm >■ ' 

X O 


her that Aicmena was i 11 ft deli vend of 




HISTORY OF HERCULES. 


3 6 7 

inftant Hercules was born ; enraged at being thus 
difappointed, lire changed Galanthis into a weafel. 

Juno conftantly purfued Hercules with the mod: 
implacable hatred; when an infant in the cradle 
Ihe lent two ferpents to devour him, but the 
young hero ftrangled them both with his hands. 

However, at the intreaty of Minerva, fhe relaxed 
of her feverity againft Hercules, and even went fo 
far as to nourilh him with her own milk, fome 
drops of which efcaping his lips, formed that 
part of heaven fince called the milky way. (This is 
an innumerable multitude of liars which give greater 
lullrctothatpartof heaven.) The thunder was heard 
to roll the moment Hercules was born, and this 
the poets pretend was a prefage of his future 
greatnefs. Such are the principal fables which 
adorn the account of the birth of this hero, let us 
remove thefe veils, and return to his hillory. 

Euryflheus, fon of Sthenelus, on afeending the 
throne of Mycenat, became jealous of Hercules. 
Hie rights of that hero, and his courage, gave him 
great alarm j he fought every opportunity of en¬ 
gaging him in fome enterpriie, and even of ex- 
pofing his life on many oecaiions. Greece was 
at that time over-run with robbers, murderers 
and wild beads ; it was in combating thefe the 

o 

whole life of Hercules was employed, and the poets 
have defrribed his perpetual and dangerous labours 

by representing them as the pcrfccutions of Juno. 

♦ 

1 J Icrcuics 





HISTORY OF IIEUCtlLr.S. 


Hercules wasbrought up by Creon, kingof Tilth,. . 
who beftowed great pains on the cultivation of p 
mind. The great courage he difplayecl from p 
earliefl infancy determined Creon to give him ■ > 
marriage Megara his daughter, by whom he li,.t 
ieveral children. 


Having learned that all his life he fliould 


a i-e 


f I 


fubject to the commands of Euryftheas, lie fell u- 
fo violent a rage, that, no longer knowing ; »nv 
thing around him, lie maflacrcd his own cbihirt,:;, 
and his coufin Iblas. When his fury abated, 
grief and regret were fo great, that he would 
no longer live at Thebes, but went to procure 
expiation for his involuntary crime at Athens, ard 
returned to fubmit himfelfto the orders of Li.- 
ryftheus. Tins prince found his repentance f 
fincere, and his iubmiflion fo undiflembled, 
he entrufled him with the command of his ar¬ 
mies, taking care, however, to engage him jir- 
petually in new enterprifes. The poets attributed 
this exceflive fury to the jealoufy of Juno; they 
pretended that Pallas by calling a Hone rdlored 
him to tranquillity, and threw him into a pro- 

ft 

found flecp. This is an allegory, eicieii|-iive <•! 
the anxious folieitude of his friends, and tlic j'ru- 
dent refolutions which, upon cool refit Cion, k‘ 

ft 

adopted. Hercules regarding his mnrri;::■/' IP ‘ 

aufpicious, feparated from his wife Mcgir."-, 



LABOURS Of HERCULES. 3 fi 9 

oave her in marriage to the fecond Iolas, his faith¬ 
ful companion in all his undertakings. 

EXPLANATION OF THE LABOURS OF 

HERCULES. 


The fird exploit of Hercules was to kill 
two dreadful ferpents. His extreme youth caufed 
it to be faid that Juno had lent them to devour 
him in his cradle, and that by his ftrangiing them 
he gave a proof of his being defeended from Ju¬ 
piter. He hunted feveral lions in the foreft of 
Nemca : one among them which was greater than 
the reft he flew himfelf and ever after wore its flein 
as a covering. 

To give this combat more of the marvellous, 
the fable relates, that Juno fent this lion againft 
him, and that when killed by Hercules, the god- 
defs placed it among the conftellations. The 
kings of Syria, in imitation of Hercules, ufed 
iikewife to adorn themfelves with the flein of a Jion. 

Birds near the lake Stymphalus laid wade Ar¬ 
cadia ; Hercules with a great noife purfued and 
drove them out of the country. This is the fable, 
we (hall now give the hiftory. 

This country was infefleil with robbers, who 
concealed themlclves in the woods which cover 
the banks of the lake Stymphalus. Hercules 

B a went 




37° 


LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


went in purfuit of them, and frightened them on 
of the woods by beating upon brazen kettle 


drums. 


Being thus driven from their 


retreat. 


they were defeated and exterminated. Thefe arc 

the birds Stymphalides, which are frequently con¬ 
founded with the Harpies, from which however 
they ought always to be diftinguifhed. 

The marlhes of Lerna, near Argos, abounded 
with ferpents, which feemed to increafe as fail as 
they were deftroyed. Hercules, entirely to extir¬ 
pate them, fet fire to the reeds, and thefe inarfhes 
being afterwards cultivated became excccdimdv 

O O 4 

fertile, which occafioned it to be faid, that he had 
employed a golden feythe to cut off the heads 01 
the Hydra, which were feigned to fpring again as 
fait as fevered from the body. It appears like- 
wife that among thefe ferpents, there was a fpecics 
particularly venomous called Hydros, which gave 


x 


n 


Hercules 


fteeped his arrows in the venom of this ferpent, 
which rendered the wounds given by them incur¬ 
able. Juno, continues the fable, feeing that 
Hercules had almoft vanquished the Hydra, lent 


a lea crab to divert him from the combat by biting 
his heel; this Hercules crufhed, and it was by 
Juno transformed into the fign Cancer. 

• I 1 

The forefi: Erymanthus was over-run with "in 
boars. Hercules hunted and deflroycd 

% 

carrying the head of the large ft as a prelcnt f 

l'l'iyi- 



fl LABOURS OF HERCULES# 37I 

I 

I £uryftheus; who thinking it was not yet dead 

V was fo terrified, that he ran and concealed him- 

7 

1 fc 1 f. The tulks of this boar were long preferved 

i 

in the temple of Apollo. 

Euryftheus ordered Hercules to bring him a 
hind very remarkable for its addrefs in eluding 

* o 

the hunters. In accomplilhing this, the hero was 
a whole year, but at laft fucceeded in taking it 
alive. It was pretended that this animal had feet 
ofbrafs ; an allegory intended to defcribe the rapi¬ 
dity with which it ran ; and ffcill more to increafe 
the marvellous, they gave it horns of gold. 

Augeas, king of Elis, had fuch numerous flocks, 
that he had no liable fufficiently large to contain 
them. In confcquence he buffered them to range 
over the fields, which being trodden down and 
covered with dirt, became unfit for cultivation. 
Hercules, at his entreaty, employed his troops in 
turning the courfe of the river Alpheus over thofe 
plains, which, by thus cleanfing them, reftored 
their original fertility. This was the origin of the 
fable that the flables of Augeas were cleanfcd by a 
river. That avaricious prince having refufed the 
reward he had promifed for this fervicc, Her¬ 
cules entered Elis, conquered and put to death 
both him and his foil Eurytus, but Iparcd Phi- 
leus, upon whom he bellowed the crown, becaufe 
he had endeavoured to perfuade his father from a 
conduct fo unjult and ungrateful. 


it a ?. 


Aidoncus. 



LABOURS OF HERCULES, 


37* 

Aidoneus, king of Epirus, coming to the afiif- 
tance of Augeas, was defeated and wounded, 
which gave rile to the fable of Pluto combating 
Hercules, and being wounded by that hero, who 
was protedled by Minerva during the battle. 

The illand of Crete produced bulls of' extraor¬ 
dinary beauty j Euryflheus ordered I icjcuks to 
go and bring away by force the mod: E aut'itul, 
which he executed. This 
the poets that of Pafiphac. 


bull was according to 


Elercules received likewile orders to go and 

‘-y 

brine off the mares of Diomedes, who in attempt- 

o ^ 

ing to prevent him was killed. Thi-. prince was 
fo curious in his horics, that to maintain a greater 
number of them, he ruined himielf, and even fold 
his Haves. From this circumflance it was pre¬ 
tended, that he fed them with human flefli. 

Elercules, on his way into Spain, plundered the 
ifiand of Cos, and defeated the famous Geryon, 
a giant with three bodies; that is to fay, he de¬ 
feated a prince who reigned over the three ifbntk 
Majorca, Minorca, and Ebufa. 

On his arrival in Italy, I lercules made Icvcral 
•conquefts; rendered confident by his courage and 
numerous vidories, he took litde precaution 

drooling his plan of encampment, 

Cacus, a petty tyrant, who redded anront 


m 


v inar- 


ceffible rocks, iurpriled him in the night, and car¬ 
ried offpart of his booty. Hercules purified Em, 


bdiq-'H 



LABOURS OF IIF.UCUI.F.S. 



beficged him in his fortrefs, and flew him. This 
Cacus was faid to be defcended from Vulcan, and 
is defcribed as a giant with three heads, who lent 
forth flames of fire from his mouth and noftrils. 

Hercules, wilhing to efhiblifh a colony on the 
coafh of Africa for the convenience of commerce, 
was repulfed by another adventurer, who was fo 
firmly eftablifhed there, that it was impoffible to 
difiodge him. Hercules found means to draw him 
out to fea, and cutting him off from all communi¬ 
cation with the land, where he ufed to retire to 
repair his lols, and procure frefn troops, there 
killed him. This vi(Story gave rife to the fable of 
Antaeus a famous giant, fon of Terra. When 
fighting with I Icrcules he recovered new ftrength 
every time he touched the Earth his mother; this be¬ 
ing perceived by Hercules, he caught him in his 
brawny arms, and holding him between heaven and 


earth thus firangled him. This Antaeus built the 
little city of Tingi, which is now the town of Tan¬ 
gier. Sertorius many ages after had the tomb 

of this giant opened, and his bones were in reality 
found to be a prodigious five. 

During the refidence of Hercules in Africa, the 
tyrant Bwfiris fent pirates to carry off the Hefpe- 
ndes, nieces to Atlas, king of Mauritania and Hef- 

peria. Thcfc Hercules defeated, and afterwards 
attacked Bufiris him/clf, whom he vumpiifhed and 
,!e ' v * Jo reward this iervice Atlas in Handed him 




LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


♦ 



in the principles of aftronomy, a fcience in which 
Hercules made fuch progrefs, that he was the fi r (l 
who difcovered that the Milky Way was only an 
affemblage of ftars. The poets defcribed this dif. 
covery by faying, that he had let fall fonie ilrorj 
of the milk of Juno upon that part of heaven. In 
the fame manner the afliftance which Hercules pave 

V 

Atlas in his war againft Bufiris, was reprcienied 
by the fable of his having aflifted him to fup- 
port the heavens upon his ilioulders. Atlas having 
prefented him with fome of the fineft fheep of his 
country, and the Greek word expreffing equally 
fheep and apple, it was pretended that Hercules 
had received from the garden of the Hefperides 
apples of gold. 

This hero penetrated as far as Cadiz, which 
he regarded as the extremity of the world, be- 
caufe at this point the fetting fun feems to fink 
into the ocean. Here he raifed two pillars, 
upon which lie inferibed, ne plus ultra , which 
means it is impoflibie to advance any farther, 
Bacchus, or rather Ofiris, did the fame in his 
Indian expedition. All the fabulous hiflorians 
fpeak of thefe pillars, and yet many learned cri¬ 
tics are of opinion they never exifled, T hey 
fay that this fable was occafioned by the two 
mountains called Calpe and Abyla, in the flr.uts 
of Gibraltar, one of which Hands in Africa, and 


the other in Europe. 


It was looked upon as rafli, 

am! 





LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


375 


4 


t 


I 


and even impoffible to advance beyond thefe moun¬ 
tains. However, in the temple, which the inhabi¬ 
tants of Cadiz railed at fome diftance from their 
city to the honour of Hercules, were feen two 
magnificent pillars, and the Phoenician characters 
with which they were inferibed gave rcafon to 
believe, that they had been ereCted by Hercules 
himfelf. Trie ancients attributed to thele pillars 
the power of checking the impetuofity of the winds, 
and of preventing the ocean from being driven by 
iheir violence over the earth, and thus introducing 
the diforder and confufion which reigned in the 
time of Chaos. The fituation of this temple, as 
they fuppofed, on the confines of the world, its an¬ 
tiquity, its ever durable woods, its inferiptions, 
its hieroglyphicks, and the labours of Hercules, 
which the Greeks afterwards engraved there, all 
rendered it extremely famous. The inhabitants of 
Cadiz thought themfelves fecure from all dangers, 
becaufc they were under the immediate protection 
of the greateft of heroes. Theron, king of Spain, 
wifhing to pillage this temple, a panic fear dif- 
perfed his troops, and drove his fleet from the 
coalt. It is generally thought, that the expedition 
into Africa was the lad of the labours enjoined 
by Eurytthcus. That prince now perceived, that 
he only cncrcaled the glory of Hercules, and that 
he had nothing to apprehend from his pretenfions 
to the throne. But repofe and inactivity did not 

b B 4 fuit 



LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


37 6 

fuit this hero. His courage continually led him m 
engage in fome new enterprise. He pciv.-tra: ; 
into the heart of Scythia to deliver Proira rk ; , 
as we have related in the firfb part of this work. 

The river Achelons by overflowing its b.. 
laid wafte the country cf Calydon, and o.. d 
away the marks which diftinguiflied their reipc.,,,0 
lands. Hercules conftrufted dykes, and t!v, ; c- 
ftored peace to the Calydonians and Airu. hr.-, 
who had often gone to war on this account. 


J he 


fable as we have already faid delcribed the. ax < r. 
taking as an aftual combat with the river. 


i: r~ 


eC.un.tr ■ 


I 


kTl Lilf j 


prefents Achelous as changed into a lerneny to ex- 
prefs the windings of its eourie. He is m 
phofed into a bull, becaufe this was the iynibe 
under which they rep re fen ted rivers. 1! 
tears off a horn, which means that he uimal t«o 
branches into one. This horn is exchangu: l-<r 
that of the goat Amalchea, which produce., e/tn 
blefling, that is to fay, the ancient branch of the 
river was converted into fruitful land, d'mis, 
king of Calydon, rewarded tins diftinguiiuu! ar- 
vice by giving llereuks in marriage his ilaughur 
Dejanira, w ho bore him afon named 1 lyllns. At the 
court of this king Hercules remained three ee.i!:>. 

The fable of the battle of i lercules with Ai In - 
lous proves with what art the poets ths'pni'd 
the molt fmiple events. Jn the lame manuei iluv 
have difguiled the hiftory of Alcmaaon Jon of An • 

p! li.itae-i 



LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


377 

phiaraus. This prince having killed his mother, 
confulted the oracle, which anfwered, that he 
would never be delivered from the Furies till he 
inhabited a place upon which the fun did not fhine 
at the time he committed the crime. The river 
Achelous having in one of its inundations fwept 
away great maffes of earth, thefe icon formed 
themfelves into little iflands, upon one of which 
Ale:mason took up his abode, and there found an 
allium. Thefe iflands were called F.chinades 


The fabulous account of their origin is, that feme 
nymphs of this name having negledted Achelous in 
one of their facrifices, that god carried them away 
in his dream, and metainorphofcd them all into 
heaps of earth and land. 

Among the labours of Hercules we mull not 
forget the affilhnce he afforded Theieus, when 
that hero with his friend Pirithous attempted to 
carry off Proferpinc, wife of Aidoneus, king of 
Fpirus. Pirithous we have already laid peri Hied, 
and T heieus was detained a prifoner. Hercules 
palled into Epirus, delivered Tiieleus, killed a 
In-pent that was retreating into the cave of 
Tenarus, and brought away a mall iff of prodigious 
fi/.e from the city of Tricaffia. Aidoneus was 
wounded by Hercules; and as he inhabited the 
country which was called the infernal regions, it 

v.as pretended that Hercules had deicended into 

the 



LABOURS OK HERCULES. 



the manfions of the dead to deliver Thefeus, j, a ,j 
bound Cerberus, and wounded Pluto himfclf. 

Hercules fee ms to have regarded his expedition 
againft Aidoneus as extremely perilous; before he 
entered on it, lie wifhed to be initiated at Athens 
intothe myfteries ofEleufin a. Mufeus, fon of Or¬ 
pheus, who prefided over thefe myfteries, reprefeat- 
ed to him, that men could not be admitted; but 
to avoid giving this formidable hero a pofitive rc- 
fufal, he inftituted others on his account, which 
were called the little myfteries of Eleufina. After 
tlercules, thefe were admiffible to ftrangers. 

The deliverance ofAlcefte is one of the mod bril¬ 
liant aftions of Hercules. Medea, fays the fable, 
advifed the daughters ofPelias to cut their fiulu-; 
in pieces, and boil his limbs with certain herbs whidi 
Ihe mentioned, afluring them that by tiiis mans 
his youth would be reftored in the fame manner as 
fine had reftored that of /Efon, father of Jal'on. 

The unhappy old man was the vittim of tin 1 cre¬ 
dulity of his daughters. Acaftus his fon puriiieJ 
his fifters to the court of Admetus, where they had 
taken refuge after their unintentional crime; tins 
prince was the lefs inclined to deliver them up, as 


fmitten with the charms of Alcefte he had already 
married her. Acaftus in confluence of this n- 
fufal laid wafte the country, and Admetus (juitting 
his capital to repel thefe ravages was unhappily taken 

priloner. It was then that Alccfte, obedient only 




LABOURS OF IIERCUL.ES. 


379 


(0 the dictates of conjugal aftedtion, offered to fur- 
render herfelf into the hands of her brother, if he 
would reftore the liberty of Admetus. The ex¬ 
change was accepted, and Alcefte, fays the fable, 
had juft been offered up as a facrifice where Al- 
cides met Death and encountered him; he found 
means to vanquifh him, and binding him with 
chains of adamant, refufed to fet him at liberty on 
any other condition but that of reftoring Alcefte 
to life. Death was forced to accede to the terms, 
and Hercules conduced the tender, generous Al- 
ceftc to her hufband Admetus. Hiftory makes no 
mention of the treacherous counfel given by Me¬ 
dea to the daughters of Pelias ; on the contrary we 
fhall fee in the hiftory of Jafon, that many crimes 
were by the poets attributed to Medea of which 
fire never was guilty. It is not difficult to explain 
this ftory of Alcefte. Hiftory informs us, that 
Admetus being conquered by Acaftus, and taken 
prifoner, was obliged to deliver to him Alcefte: 
fie had already pafied the river Acheron on her 
return to the dominions of her brother, when they 
were met by Alcides, who engaged Acaftus, and 
compelled him to give up Alcefte, whom he car¬ 
ried back to her hufband. 

In the time of Hercules the Amazons were very 
famous, and by their conquefts over their neigh¬ 
bours, became extremely formidable. Euryftheus 
fent Hercules againft thefe illuftrious female war¬ 
riors. 



LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


380 

riors, enjoining him to bring back their treafures. 
This hero embarked on the Euxine Tea, and ar¬ 
rived on the banks of the river Thermodon. He 
attacked thefe heroines, obtained a complete 
viftory, and to reward the affiftance he had re¬ 
ceived from Thefeus, gave him in marriage Ar.- 
tiope, orHippolyta, their queen, whom he had tak 
prifoner. Menalippe 


en 


aicended the vacant 
throne, and to obtain peace, confented to give up 
the major part of her riches. Thefe females, whole 
territory was contiguous to that of the Scythians, 
would permit no man to re fide among them; they 
every year went to vifit their hufbands, and at 
thefe interviews, refigned to them all the male in¬ 
fants, referving the females, whom they brought 
up to the profefficn of arms. They had a culloin 
of burning their right breaft, to give them greater 
facility in drawing the bow. The hiftory of tiiefe 
warlike females lias frequently been called 1 
queftion, but the truth of their exigence is attefled 
by Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Paufamas, Plu¬ 
tarch, and feveral other rdpedable hiftorians. 
They reigned over that part of Scythia which bor¬ 
ders on the river Thermodon. Penthcfilea one ol 
their queens carried affiftance to Priam, during the 
fiegeofTroy, and was flain by Achilles. Qi. nntu - 

Curtins likewife allures us, that one of their queeiu 

went to vifit Alexander. 

Hercules accompanied the Argonauts to the 


in 


1 


conaueit 



LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


381 

conqueft of the Golden Fleece, but did not go to 
die end of the expedition, landing in the road, in 
fearch of Hylas, who had either loft his way, or 
was drowned in going to fetch water for his com¬ 
panions. The Argonauts perceiving he did not 
return, purfued their courfe without him, and 
Hercules finding them gone dire died his route to¬ 
wards the city of Troy, part of whole walls had 
recently been waflied away by an inundation of the 
fea. It was reported, that Neptune had taken this 
method of revenging himfelf on Laomedon, and 
that, to lave the city from deftrudtion, they muft 
expofe a virgin to be devoured by a fea monfter. 
The lot for this purpofe, fell upon Hefione, 
daughter of Laomedon. In the mean time, 
Hercules arrived and offered to deliver the 
princefs, on condition of receiving fix horfes, 
fwift as the wind, who could traverle the waves 
without finking, (that is, fix good galleys, which 
were neceflary for his return.) Hefione was 
delivered, but Laomedon refilled the galleys. 
Lnraged at his perfidy and ingratitude, Hercules 
attacked and took the city, carried off Hefione, 
whom he bellowed in marriage upon Telamon, 
killed Laomedon, and gave the crown to Podar- 
cus, that prince’s foil. This fea. monfter, was 
nothing but the inundation of the fea. The king 
promifed his daughter to whoever fhould find 
means of defending the city from their ravages. 

This 



LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


'CUli'S. 


3 ** 

This Hercules effedted, and punifhed Laomedon 

(or having violated his word. Such is the origin of 
die fable we have juft related. 

It would be impoffible to give an exact account 

of all the labours, combats and victories of Aici.ics. 

4 

or rather of all the celebrated characters that l.uve 
at different times borne the name of Hei 
He of Thebes was the moft illuftrious of all, and 
to him they attributed the heroick actions of all 
thofe who attempted to tread in his fteps. The 
Theban Hercules after having executed the lab r:i\ 
impofed upon him by Euryftheus, and thoie v. inch 
his own courage led him to undertake, conaivd 
an ardent affection for Idle, daughter of Euptrs; 
this paffion proved fatal to iiimfelf and to I>;a:.ira 
whom he had efpoufed in Italy. The valour of 
Hercules could not protect him from the power 
of love ; fometimes his paflions even nude him 
forgetful of his glory. Being fent for into l.yilh 
to combat a monftrous ferpent which defcLuu the 
country, he faw and wiihed to pleaie Omphaio 
daughter to the king of u. :l country. 'I his jnin- 

cels, proud of her aicendcncy ovcj' lo great a hero, 

^ • 

obliged him to degrade himfelf fo far as to lp>n 
among her women. He exchanged his club )oj 
the difbifT, and laid afidc the Hein or the Nenic j :ui 
lion to clothe himlelf in the attire of a won.an; 
but this delufion could not continue long; he 


heard of new adventures, indignant burll the c 


hains 



LABOURS OF HERCULES* 


I 

I 

«"* 


LABOURS OF HERCULES* 383 

that bound him, and thought no more of any thing 
but glory. Before we relate the manner of his 
death, we mufi: inform our readers, that a fhort 
time after his marriage with Dejanira he engaged 
in new expeditions. Being arrived at the banks of 
the little river Evenus, he found it by the melting 
of the fnows increafed to a rapid torrent. Neflus, 
whom the fable defcribes as a Centaur, (becaufe he 
was conftantly on horfeback) offered to take De- 
janira behind him, and tranfport her to the other 
lide, to which Hercules confented. Neflus being; 
come to the oppofite bank, thinking himfelf fecure 
from Hercules, infultcd and attempted to carry ofl' 
Dejanira; but the hero let fly an arrow ftceped in the 
blood of the Hydra, and gave him a mortal wound. 
Perceiving his death approach, Neflus gave his 
robe to Dejanira, alluring her that it had the pro¬ 
perty of preventing the affections of Hercules 
from wandering to another. The credulous De- 
janira preferved this fatal prefent, and having- 
pci drived the tendernels of hicrculcs for I ole, 
knt him the veil of iaeffos at the moment he 

was S°' in S t0 J^crilicc on Mount (Ida: but no 
ieoncr had lie placed tins deadly <dft upon lm 


nody than, leized with friyhtiul pains, he felt 
himleif conlluncd by a devouiin;^ fire, j Jr ran to 
c °nlult the oracle, which having informed him 
that his difeafe admitted of no cure, hr returned m 


* 

i 


Oita 


(. U l S ; 



3*4 


LABOURS OF HERCULES. 


tetcs; here with his own hands he raifed a 


pile 


which he covered with the fkin of the Nemean 
lion, and extending himfelf upon it, his head fup. 
ported by his club, gave orders to Philoftetes to 
fet it on fire. This faithful friend had fworn to 
obey him j he applied the fatal torch, and the hero, 
with his laft looks exafting the execution of his 
promife, was in a few minutes reduced to allies. 
Thus perifhed the valiant Alcides in the fifty, 
fecond year of his age, and about thirty years be¬ 
fore the war of Troy. The unhappy Dcjanira, 
unable to furvive his lofs, died of grief at T rachina, 
and requefted to be interred at the foot of mount 
GEta, near the city which was afterwards cal 1 u 
Herculia. 

Afterthe deathof this hero he became the conii;;;:: 
fubjeft of poetical fidtion. It was pretended that on 
his arrival in heaven he efpoufed Hebe, the godcieis 
of youth (in allufion to immortality.) Atlas, lays 
the fable, who bore the heavens upon his fhouldcrs 
felt fenfibly the additional increafe to his uccui- 
tomed burden. 

Hercules, according to the poets, having pre¬ 
ferred himfelf in the lifts at the Olympic Games, 
and meeting with none who dared oppole him, 
Jupiter himfelf aftumed the form of a wrcftler : 


U 


an 


d 


an 


encountered him. 

He likewife contended with Apollo, 

attempted to carry oft 7 the tripod at Dclphos- 

Hiilory 




•LABOURS OF HERCULES. 38.) 

Hiftory gives us the origin of this laft fable; it 
fays that Hercules going to confult the oracle at 
Delptios, received an unfavourable anfwer from 
the prieftefs, which fo enraged him that he carried 
away the tripod from the temple; but the Pythia 
having reproached him with injuftice, and with 
deviating from the fteps of the Egyptian Hercules, 
whom he had adopted as his model, he was fo 
(truck widi the rebuke that he returned the tripod. 

Before his death he impofed an oath upon Phi- 
loftetes that he would never difclofe the place of 
his interment, nor that where he had depofited his 
arrows. An oracle having foretold, that Troy 
could never be taken without the arrows of Her¬ 
cules, and the difcovery of his tomb, Ulyffes, 
the moft eloquent and mod artful of the Greeks, 
was charged with this commiffion. Philo&etes 
dared not violate his oath, but either feduced or 
perfuaded, went fo far as to make a lign with his 

foot, which did noc e'icape the penetration of 

* 

Ulyffes; he difcovered the urn and the arrows, 
and prevailed on Philodletes to accompany him 
to the fiege of Troy. This breach of fidelity did 
not go unpunifhed. Philodtetes having one day 
the arrows of Hercules in his hand, one of them 
flipped and fell upon trie foot which had difclofed 
the fecrct. The wound became fo angry and 
0 lien five that his companions taking advantage 
of his abfcnce, abandoned him to his pains and 

C c remorfe 


I 



386 HISTORY OF HERCULES’ SUCCESSORS. 

remorfe on the ifland of Lemnos. This ungene¬ 
rous perfidy availed the Greeks but little, they 

4 

•were commanded by the oracle to make fatisiV- 
tion to Philoftetes. Ulyfifes was now employed 
to deprecate his anger, and was again fuccefsful- 
Philodletes fullered himfelf to be conve}’ed to the 
Grecian camp, where his wound was cured by 
Machaon, fon of Efculapius. 

Hercules is generally reprefented under the form 
of a man extremely robuft, leaning upon a club, 
his fhoulders covered with the'fkin of che Nemean 
lion; the head of which fometimes coverin': his 
own, gives him an appearance ftill more terrible. 
His hair appears bulhy, and his beard firong and 
black. The furnames of this hero were as nume¬ 
rous as the countries which had been the theatre 
of his exploits. 


HISTORY of the SUCCESSORS or HERCULES. 


This hero is fo celebrated that we think 
it our duty to give fome lhort account of his 
fucceffors. 

Ceyx took charge of the education of the 
children of Hercules. Euryftheus, apprehenlive 
of feeing them foon in a condition to afiir f 
tlifir pretenfions to the crown of Mycena', threat¬ 
ened the king of Trachine with a war, unkls 

iie 



HISTORY OF HERCULES* SUCCESSORS. 387 


he banifhed them from his court, as well as Iolas, 
and the troops who were determined to follow the 
fortunes of Hercules and his children. Terrified 
at this threat, Ceyx ordered them to quit his do¬ 
minions. On their departure from him they were 
favourably received by Epalius, king of the Da¬ 
mns, who even adopted Hyllus, fon of Hercules, 
and Dejanira. It was thus he acknowledged his 
gratitude to that hero for having re-eltablifhed 
him in the pofieffion of his throne. 

Some time after, the defendants of Hercules 
were again compelled to fly, when Theleus, a rela¬ 
tion and friend of Hercules, gave them an afylum 
in Attica. Euryftheus wifhing to drive them from 
hence alfo, the Athenians affembled their forces 
and gave him battle, under the conduft of Theleus 
and Hyllus ; this latter with his own hands killed 
Euryllheus, and with him perifhed his whole 
family. Such was the end of this branch of the 
fticcefTors of I’erfeus. The crown of Mycense 

4 

then defended to the family of Pelops. Atretis, 
fon of that prince, was governor of Myccnm, and 
on the death of Kuryflheus catiled himfelf to be 
declared king. 


The Heraclicles went to ellablifir themflves in 
the Pcloponnefus, of which they had made them- 
felves m.iflcrs; but a pdlilence having deftroyed 
their army, they were informed by the oracle that 
it would not ceafe till they lhould leave the coun¬ 


try ; 


e c 2 



' 388 HISTORY OF HERCULES’ SUCCESSORS. 

try; the fame oracle commanded them not to 
return till after the third harvePc. They departed, 
but thinking they had obeyed the oracle, return;--! 
at the end of three years. They were however 
defeated by Atreus, and Thom reus one cf the chiefs 
of the Heradides was (lain. Hyllus, feeing thm; th? 
war was likely to be protraded to a long pc 1 lor i, pm., 
pefed to engage in Angle combat whoever Piod.l H 
oppofed to him, on condition that if lie came n.i 
conqueror, Atreus fbould yield the crown of My¬ 
cenae to the Heradides, but that in cafe he iheui-. 
be vanquifhed, his defeendants fhotild net enter 
Pcloponnefus till after the expiration of a century. 

Echemus, king of Arcadia, accepted his ck.U 
lenge, killed Hyllus, and obliged the Hcrarii-.k-s 
to abandon Peioponnefus according to their oY.-r. 
agreement. 

Clodeus, fon of Hyllus, after fomc time again 
attempted, but in vain, to enter this country, he 
loft Ariftomachus, one of his fons, in the attempt. 

Temenes, Chrefphontes and Ariftodennis, his 

% 

three remaining fons, having equipped a fiect at 


Naupadtus, Arnus, a famous augur at that time, 

wifhed to join them, but being taken for a Ipy 

was put to death. The peftilence again breaking 

out, to procure a deliverance from it they infiitutcd 

games to his honour. The Heradides at hi ft fuc- 

ceeded in gaining pofTeflion of Argos, Lacedauon 

and Mycenae : they extended their conquePm, mid 

ihc; 1 v 



VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


3 8 9 

♦ 

Portly all Peloponnefus became fubjedt to the de¬ 
scendants of Hercules. This return of the Hera- 
clides happened about four hundred and eighty 
years after the capture of Troy, and conftitutes 
one of the principal epochs in the hiftory of Greece. 
It is even regarded as the mod exaft of them all, 
which led us to believe that it would be of fervice 
to remark it. 


VOYAGE or the ARGONAUTS—CONQUEST 
of the GOLDEN FLEECE.—HISTORY- 

of JASON and MEDEA. 

Ther e is no event recorded in the hiftory 
of Greece more famous or more abounding in fic¬ 
tion, than the conqueft of the Golden Fleece. 
There are few authors who do not mention it, and 
though many of their works are loft, there ftill 
remain three poems upon this expedition; that 
of Onomacritus, compofed about five hundred 
years before the Chriftian aera; that of Apollonius 
the Rhodian, who lived in the time of the Ptole¬ 
mies; and that of Valerius Flaccus, who wrote 
under Vcfpafian. To form a juft idea of this 
voyage, we muft regard it as a military expedition, 
undertaken by the moft illuftrious warriors of 
Greece, to recover the treafures which Phryxus 
had carried to Colchis, and at the fame time to 

c c 3 eftabliih 



39° 


VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


eftablifh a maritime commerce, and form new f a *„ 
dements or colonies, in the countries they Jhould 
difcover. To infure fuccefs, feveral fhips and 
many people were neceffary; it is evident they 
were provided with both, fince the companions of 
Caftor and Pollux founded the colonies of the 
Tyndarides and the Heniochians. 

The fhip Argo alone is celebrated, but it ap¬ 
pears that this was the Admiral’s fhip, on board 
of which were the chiefs of the expedition, 
all Greece took part in this enterprize, and as v,c 
meet with it continually in fabulous hiftory, v.r 
ihall give the molt effential particulars conccrair: 


A ; 

U l > 


• ♦ 


its origin. 

Athamas, fon of iEolus, and great grand fun of 

Deucalion, was king of Thebes. His fir it wife 

was ino, daughter of Cadmus, whom he divorced 

home time after to efpoufe Nephele ; by whom he 

had Phryxus and Plelle. Nephele having fliov.i- 

i'ymptoms of a. derangement of mind, Athanm 

became reconciled to Ino, who mortally dctcllui 

the children of her rival, by right of feniority lick 

to the crown. 'The weak and inconllant Athanun 

fullered hiinfelf to be perfuaded by Ino, tin’ 

Nephele had poifonecl the grain, and ocoali 

the famine which had depopulated Thebes. T 1 m- 

bale calumny (Ire caufed to be confirmed by the 

prielts, who declared in tire name of the orach' 

* 

that the fcourgc could only be removed by iam 


lOIKM 



VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


39 1 


ficing the two children of Ncphele. Phryxus, 
informed by one ot the priefts of the barbarous 
project of Ino, fecretly equipped a veil'd, found 
means to carry off part of his father’s treafures, 
and, accompanied by his filter I Idle, embarked to 
feck an afylum with his relation, /[fetes, king of 
Colchis. During the voyage, the young Helle 
fell from the veil'd into the fea, and there perifhcd. 
This circumftance occafioned that part of the lea 
to be ever after called the TIdlefpont. 

Such is the origin of the table invented by the 
poets of the ram with the golden fleece. 

They fay, that Phryxus and Helle mounted 
this ram to efcape from their cruel ftcp-mother, 
and that Helle, terrified by the rolling of the waves, 
fell from its back and was drowned. The veil'd 
was exprcffed by a ram, becaufe it carried the 
reprefcntation of that animal on its prow 
even wifhed to affign it a genealogy. Hiflory 
goes on to inform us, that Phryxus arrived hap¬ 
pily at Colchis, where he interred his filter Helle, 
and confecrated the prow of his veil'd to Jupiter 
Phryxus, or the Prel'crver. 



Phryxus while at Colchis cfpoufed Chaleiope, 

daughter of /Petes. I he lirll years of their mar- 
♦ 

mge palled away very happily ; ihry were bk It 
with four children; but dretes, envious of the riches 
of his Ion inlaw, eauled him to be ;d:h(!inatcJ, and 
Uialnopc, loprelervc herchildren from ihv bailu- 


^ <•' 4 


• f \ 1 ' 
» 4 




39 


VOYAGE 0? THE ARCONAUTS. 


cretu 


rous and criminal avarice of her father, ft 
provided a veffel and lent them into Greece, hopir - 
as hie had heard of the death of I no, that Atiuina 
would remember his fon, and receive favour.Ph 
his grand-children. A ftorm, in which the ir vef'd 

was wrecked, threw the children upon an iflan-!. 

•* 

where they remained till the arrival of julon, u.V, 
conducted them back to their mother; and 
dope out of gratitude for this fervice, {Ii-. '-uh-.! 
the paffion which Jafon had conceived for h< r 
Medea. At this time Pelias, a relation of. 
reigned over part ofTiieflalyj he had ufurjvd :l;e 
crown which by right belonged to /Ef on, and ir > 
feries of tyrannical aftions had rendered 
odious to his people. 

' Being informed that Alcymede, wife of At fon, 


iL 


• *- i: dl * 


was juft delivered of a fon, he endeavoured fy 
every method to deftrov him, as the oracle lid 
foretold that he fliould be dethroned by a jiriiwe 
of the race of the/Bolides. /Eion and A lev me A 



of the black de firms of IVlus. 

_ 

caufed it to be reported that the young Dioindv. 
(the original name of Jafon) was dangeroully u! 
and foon after, that he was dead; they even pi r- 
formed the ceremony of his funeral. J laving thus 
eluded Pelias, Alcymede carried her Ion up" 
mount Peiion, and delivered him into (lie harm 
of Chiron, the wife ft and mo If c n 1 • • ■ htcntrcl man < 1 

J < J 

his time. Jt was umder this IkiJfu! preceptor dot 

y a 



VOYACF. OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


393 


Tifon acquired tluit knowledge which afleiwaiels 

J * • r* Ml A _ 


•endered him fo ilhiftrious 


Having attained the age of twenty-one, this 
young prince went to coniult the oracle, by which 
he was ordered to clothe himidf after the manner 
of the Magncfians, to add the fkin of a leopard, 
like that worn by Chiron, to provide himfclf with 
nvo fpears, ami liras equipped to prefent himfelr 


l «- 


J 


the injur-fl ions of the oracle, but in going from 
mount Pdion to the city, it was nccdiary to crofs 
the river Anaurus, which at that time had over¬ 
flowed its banks. Juno, fays the fable, difguifed 
as an old woman, ofierce! to tra.ofport him to the 
oppofite fide, but in the paflage this young prince 
loll one of his fhoes; and Pdias had been warned 

by the oracle to beware of the man who Ihould 
¥ 

appear before him with but one /hoc. Jafon 
however arrived at Iolchos. Ilis beauty, youth, 
and even the fingularity of his cliferefs, 
ing every eye, Pdias iiimfelf wifiied to receive 
ftrangeti but perceiving his naked foot, 

that this was the 



this 


longer doubted 


man 


he no 

pointed out by the oracle. He adopted the re lb- 
lution however to diflemble, and begged the 
ftranger to inform him of his name. Jafon, with 
a noble afftirance, told him that he was fon of/Efon; 
related the manner in which he had been brought 

<r> 

up in the care of the centaur, Chiron; and con- 

k I ; 9'^ 




VOYAGE Of THE ARCON’AU'i, 


eluded by addreffing himfeif to the chiefs of r'v 
affernbly, from whom he learned the refidenct 
his father, was concluded to him and acknow- 
led ged, while the tyrant who had remarked i'. f 
interefl which the prefence of this youno- 

i J l * “ • 

infpired in his behalf, dared make no attempt aga::,:'. 
him. 


Pheres, who reigned over part of Thcluiv, 
hearing of the arrival of his nephew, came to Iolcia:.-, 
accompanied by his fon Admctus, and lent to fad. 
his two other fans, Neleus and Amithaon, , 
were eftabliihed in Meflina. When thefe 


* tv;i 


1i i 

were met together, during live days they celeb", 
feafts; on the fixth, Jalbn, with his father and 
uncles, concerted mealurcs to drive the lifer;..: 
from the throne. Accompanied by his faniih hr 
went to the palace of the king, and demanded the 
crown which by right belonged to him, t. ..it.; 
Pelias he might keep polfeffion of the riche-, 
own ambition being only glory. Pelias, detellc! 
by his people, and alloniHied at language lb 
dared not refufe Jafon, whole courage and n 
countenance engaged the hearts of all who beln: 


bo!! 


omc 


him ; perceiving likewife the cagcrnels of iso 
young prince to fignalize himfeif, he told him, 
that the unhappy Phryxus, their relation, and f.c 
them defeended from Aeolus, had been maliacnu 
at Colchis, that he had appeared to him in n di cam, 
defiring him to revenge Iris murder, and lave ho 


YOYAGL Ob 1HT ARGONAUTS. 


3 tf 5 


m 

H chiklreHj, who were perpetually expoied to the 

M cruelty of an avaricious and barbarous tyrant, 

•*§ i J 

•f His ape, he added, would not permit him to under- 

I cake this voyage, but lie be fought Jafon to appeafe 
| the manes of Phryxus, promiiing on his return to 
< refign to him the crown. lie then related how 

[ o 
« 

Phryxus, when he iled from Thebes, had carried 
with him a fleece of moff ineftimable value, by 
recovering which he would gain immortal glory 
and immenfe riches: lie did not conceal from him 
the dangers he would have to encounter; the crafty 
old man knew very well that thefe would only 
llinuilatc the courage of this young hero. Ilis 
harangue had die defired elFcdt; Jalbn immediately 
accepted the propofal, and to give greater lultre 
to the expedition, he invited all die princes of 
f'recce to accompany him. Whilll thefe were 
flocking to the Jlandard of Jafon in Thefialy, a 

iroper for fo long a voyage, 


vt-llci was eon 



and this was the celebrated fhip, Argo, concerning 
■vliich fo many wonders are related. 

The origin of this mine is differently explained. 
■Some lay, riiat the plan of it was drawn by Argus, 
and that from him ir took its name. Odums derive 
it from die Greek woid .mgr, lwifr, light; others 
•‘gain imagine, that it was built at Argos ; and 
hhdy, ionic fuppole it to come fium the word 

bccaule it was employed to carry the 

Greeks. 



3 9 6 


VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUT;*, 


In the fame mariber, there are different ouj*;,, 

i 14 ‘ ' * 

concerning the quality of the wood, which w- 
made ufe of in conflrufting it; but it is iliilici,-,- 
for us to remark, that the malt was formed, of 
tree taken from the forefr of Dodona, which 
rife to the fable that it rendered oracles. 


The Hr an e of this veffel was long, lik 


e tr 


a 

a, ^ 


Hey. 


Trading velTels were neneralh/ o 1 


tD 


round form. The number of thofe who embarhej 
on this expedition is computed at fifty-two. 

It was firf: propofed to confer the honour of 
the command upon Hercules, but he I:i-nfc!i 
pointed out Jafon as their chief, as he was the 
original cauie of the expedition. Tiphys, a ikl- 
ful mariner, who, for that reafon, was fuppofd to 
be the fon of Neptune, they chofe for their pik:; 
Lynceus, by the quicknefs of his fight, difeovead 
the fhoals; and Orpheus, by the harmony of hi 
voice and lyre, dilpclled the wearinefs of fo lot: 
a voyage. We fhall not enter into a particular 
account of all the Argonauts, but content our- 
felves with obferving, that in this expedition v.crc 
engaged the mod: diftinguilhed perfons ofGiu.c, 
either for their birth or valour. The art of liti¬ 
gation was at that time fo little underfoot!, that 
they feldom ventured to lofe fight of land, 'J he 
centaur, Chiron, was confulted upon the eounc 
they were to purfuc ; they defired him to comp<A 
a new almanack and reform the old one, wliidi' : - 




• « 


L 



VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


397 


did, and brought it juft as they had finifhed their 
iacrifices. He gave them his advice, and with 
his laid farewell mingled his prayers for the fuccefs 
of his pupil, Jafon, whom he tenderly loved. We 
learn from hiftory that Chiron was then entrufted 
with the education of Achilles j a certain proof 
that the expedition of the Argonauts took place a 
ihort time before the Trojan war, of which Achilles 
was the moft illuftrious hero. 


The Argonauts had at fir ft a profperous voyage, 
but a ftorm foon obliged them to caft anchor at 


the ifland of Lemnos. The women of that ifland 
having, according to the poets, failed in their re- 
Teeft towards Venus ; that goddefs, to punifh them, 
inipired their hu(bands with fuch averhon, that 
they abandoned them for the (laves of Thrace. 
Cm aged at fuch contempt, they availed themfelvcs 
of the abfence of the greater part of their hufbands 


writers. 


to mafiacre thofe which remained. Hypfipyle 
alone fp.arecl her father, Thdas, king of the ifland. 
This circumftance is mentioned by all the ancient 

It was at this period the Argonauts 
apived. The Lcmnian women thinking they were 
their hufbands, prepared to attack them, but learn¬ 
ing that they were the Argonauts, they gave them a 
favourable reception. From Lemnos "they fet fail 
for Samothracia, to fulfil a vow which Orpheus 
bad made during the temped:. They firft pro¬ 
ceeded to the country of the Tyrrhenians, who 




oppofing 



voYACh or i]:r. 


xncos.w rv 


oppofing them, a bloody battle enfued, in 
all the heroes of the expedition were v-oir 
with the exception of Glaucus, who difin 


V'ir« . 

ri “■ ( » 


and gave rife to the fable already mentioned, 


he was received among the number of the 


rears 






deities. From thence the Argonauts enteral th 
Hellefpont, fleered towards Afia, and landed aiirie 
above Troas. It v/as here Hercules, llylas and Te¬ 
lamon abandoned them. The departure or Her 
cules gave them no concern, as he himfelf cor- 
fumed the greater part of their provifions. 
From thence they continued their courie t 

Cvzicus. atownfituated at the foot of Mount Dvr.. 
# 

climus, at that time governed by a king of the 
name of Cyzicus. Here they met with giants 
having fix legs and fix arms (that is to iav vt;- 

O O > 

fels and galleys). Cyzicus received them hdum 
bly, and furnilhed them with provifions. They 
fet fail from the town, tut in the night, nurr:::; 

ft 

with contrary wind, were: forced to return, .i:d 
Cyzicus, who thought them already at a great 
difhmce, imagining it to be the Felaigi, his natm.d 


enemies, attempted to 


byj 


oppofe them, am! 

. » • 

'This prince, to expiate Iw. it 


* • 

voluntary crime, bellowed on Cyzicus a mapnn- 

cent funeral, he then offered a iblemn iacrtf.rr to 

r!;e mother of the gods, and built her a unijiv 

♦ 

upon Mount Dyndiim.s. Clytc, wife of Cy. 
unable to lurvivc the lob; ol her Jiulbajid, dr^i 



VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


3.09 


¥ - rj 


If ffiortlv after of grief and regret. From Cyzicus 
Xi they proceeded to Bebrycia, (the original name of 
f Bithynia) at that time governed by Amyous. This 
| prince excelled in the combat of the cedus. He 
V; gave a challenge to Pollux, who accepted it j but 
Amycus having treacheroully waylaid them, was flain 
by Pollux and his companions. Quitting this 
place, they were carried by a gale of wind upon 
■ the coaft of Thrace, near the dominions of Phi- 
neus. This prince, old and blind, was incefiantly 
tormented by the Harpies. 

Here fiedion continually intermixes itfelf with 
hiftory, but it will not be difficult to didinguifh 
them from each other. Phineus had two fons by 
a former wife. Idea, daughter of Dardanus, his 


lecond wife, invented 


O 

the 


blacked calumnies 


againd thefe children, and at lad perfuaded the weak 
and credulous Phineus, that he could not befecure 
from the dangers with which they threatened him 


but by putting out their eyes, and this piece of 
barbarity was actually put in execution. Boreas, 
their uncle, who reigned over part of Thrace, be¬ 
ing informed of this cruelty, hadened to revenge 
his nephews, defeated Phineus, and in like man¬ 
ner deprived him of fight. It was fubfequent to 
thefe events that the Argonauts arrived; Phi- 
ncus received them favourably, and offered 
to conduft them over the Cyancan rocks 
vduch were extremely dangerous. In gratitude 

for 





VOYAGE OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


for his reception, the Argonauts enp;ao-ed C~u\. 
and Zethes, Tons of Boreas, who had win<? s r t )„ r 

O \ • **u 

is veiTels with fails) to go in purfuit of the 
Harpies, (by which are meant corf airs 


who 


1 ~ y • < % 

1 u. V. 1 .yj j 


— - J * I 

laid wafte the country). Thefe they pnrfuul to 
the ides called Strophades, where they loll 
of them. 

It was in acknowledgment for this kindaefj u,r. 
Phineus gave them pilots to conduct then 
the Cyanean rocks, which were called Symniw- 
ades, becaufe they feemed to' clafh again;': each 
other. The Argonauts, terrified at the fijh of 
this ftrait, let fly a dove, which pa fled it happily, 
and ferved them as a guide. This dove, which the 
(Tory mentions, w f as the light veflel which .Phinois 
gave them, to point out the track they were to 
follow. 


This experiment of the Argonaut 


r, rf!- 


j uirc nunc 


known the above paflage, which the Greeks after¬ 
wards made ufe of, to eftablifh their commerce 
along the coafi; of the Euxine fca. Having pallid 
this (Trait, they turned towards Afia, and lanital 
in the country of the Marinndynians, by whole 
king, Lyons, they were well received. 1 Icrr tluir 
pilot, Tiphys, died, and was fuccecded in hit 
employment by Anceus. Compelled by flrefs of 
weather to land in the . ifle of Arecia, they r.v rc 
found the children of Piiryxus, whom they 
with them to Colchis ; but on quitting this iL'.nd, 


♦ « 


t ;i r . 



ARRIVAL OF THE ARGONAUTS. 401 

they had a fevere conteft to maintain againft its 
inhabitants. The fable defcribes this combat by 
faying, that they found birds, who by difcharg- 
ing their quills did great execution. This was 
the manner in which they reprefent the arrows 
made ufe of by the inhabitants during this com¬ 
bat. At laft, after many difficulties, they reached 
the port of JEa, capital of Colchis, the theatre of 
their grand adventures. 


ARRIVAL of the ARGONAUTS in COLCHIS. 


7T ^ 


:tes learning the arrival of Jafon, and 
the reafon of his coming, thought only how he 
might deftroy him, or at lead engage him to re- 
linquifh his defign of demanding a reftitution of 
the treafurcs of Phryxus. He prefcribed to him 
conditions which it feemed impoflible to be com¬ 
plied with. 

Before we relate thefe conditions, and the whole 
of that fabulous narration, it is necellary to ob- 
feive, that it was written in the Phoenician lan- 


guage, which was brought into Greece by Cadmus. 

This language had a vaft number of words of 
an ambiguous meaning, or of a lignification en- 
tirely unknown; it is not at all furprifing then, 
that the poets fhould have intermixed fo many 
fiftons and wonders with the truths of hi dory. 

D o This 



ARRIVAL OK THE ARGONAUTS. 


402 


'This celebrated conqueft produced ieveral j 
ems and tragedies, in -which the events were 


Ki¬ 


lt is even with 


Mill - 


regret w e hr.d 


reprefented. 
that the famous tragedian Euripides receive 


'1 
4 V 


bribe from the Corinthians to blacken the 


mar... - 


ry of Medea. Thefe particulars we fhall give i :i 
the hiftory of that princefs, but at }) re lent pur:i.e 
the disfigured account, which it is abfolutdv 
ccfiary to be acquainted with. 

Apollonius of Rhodes, and Onomacritus v< 
that Jafon being equally beloved by Juno and Mi- 
nerva, thofe goddeifes agreed to inlpirc MA. • 
with a pailion for him, as by her knowie.i 
the art of magic Ihe could protect him 


I: j::i 


dangers. 


M 


,r 1 


k i ^ t 


a, already prejudiced in his .k .01 


by her filter Calciope, met him in the tempi 
Idecate, where both were come to impior. 
fervices of that godclels. Jafon, 


cnr.nr.. 


' - 


the fight of Medea, and acquainted wiii: 
power, demanded her a hifiance, which Ike : 
mifed, on condition of receiving his hand. d. 
exchanging vows, they feparated, and bA 


1 * V • 


f' ^ 




V . . 


fought by every method in her power to law k: 
hufband. To efTccl the conquell of tiie Cuk;.:; 
Fleece it was necefiiiry firft to reduce to die \Ac 
two bulls (a prelent from Vulcan) having hen:; 




and feet of brals, and torrents of lire munig uern 
their nollrils. When this was accomplilhcd, tiny 

were to be (aliened to a plough of Adaman!, m;d 

employed 



ARRIVAL OK THE ARGONAUTS. 


4O3 


employed in turning up four acres of ground 
( onfecrated to the god Mars, which had never be¬ 
fore been cultivated. This labour done, it was 
ordered to fow this ground with the teeth of 
a dragon, from whence were immediately tofpring 


armed 


Jafoi 


ID 


exterminate ; after having furmounted thefe diffi- 




'ulties, the dragon that defended 


the Golden 


h'lecce remained flill to be conquered and de- 
ilroyed. One day only was allowed for the per¬ 
formance of fuch prodigious undertakings. Jafon, 
relying on his courage, and fecure of the a (lift- 

* O O ' 

ance of Medea, boldly accepted the conditions. 
The Held of Mars was opened, the king of Col¬ 
chis ranging himfelf on one fide, and the Argo¬ 
nauts on the other. Immediately the two bulls 
rufhed into the place of adtion, but Jafon having 
previoufly received from Medea cakes made 
of honey and flour, the animals on receiving 
thefe became diliirmed of their rage, and volunta¬ 
rily prefented their necks to the yoke. The field 
'••is ploughed, the dragon’s teeth were fown, and 
the armed men appeared, when Jafon throwir 
done into the midft of them,'in an inflant they were 
lcizcd with fuch fury, that they attacked and flew 


each other. 


J 


then marched towards the 


dragon which guarded the Golden Fleece ; this he 
lulled aflecp with a foporiferous potion, likewife 
prepared by Medea, and thus atchieved the con- 

quefb 


D D 2 



4°4 


ARRIVAL OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


c i.i:r 


quell of the famous Golden Fleece. Th 
clay on which lie gained thefe victories, 
thinking only how he might efcape from /A-- • . 
whole treachery he feared, returned to hisvgfd 
was there joined by Medea, and, lotting fail, they v.\ r; 
fcon at a diftance from the ccail of Coldii:;. j 
account i.s in appearance a mere fiction ; howw 
the celebrated Fochart, who knew 
genius of the If.uhern languages, and tlicir r,-.f 

i. I 1 J 

liification, finds in the i'hccnician words ti..: i .-.h 

m 

nation cl thefe fables. After having made a 
parifon with thefe words, he fucceeds in nnv. 
dial the Argonauts were engaged in a bloody 


perfa ; T 


l\ 


r* 


from v/hicli tiicv came oif victorious 


# • 


• 4 


4 « 


opinions concerning this Golden Fleece are 

A. W 

ous. home autiiors think, that in Colchis were f 
viilets, whole lands were intermixed with pa: Ah> 
of gold, that to collect thefe they extended .a d\ 
bottom of the water ihcep Heins with the v.• •: 
on, am! that bv this means /Fetes amallXi ■ • re.:: 

J J » 

* W 


nen 


V- *- • 


Alchemifls, and thole who 


7 • • 

j 4 V, ^ * 


♦ f 


i 


* t 


a b 


make gold, iupnolc, that tins fleece was 

O ? X i j 

which coMui-noc! die iccrct of tr.infmiiLipv; 
tab into gold j but thb opinion delervcs m 
lead attention. 


• > - 


K !■. i l ■ 



RETURN' OF THE ARGONAUTS 


4°.5 


RETURN OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


Jason having happily terminated his ex¬ 
pedition, now thought only of quitting Colchis; 
availing himfelf of the darknek of the night, he 
fet fail, accompanied by Medea, 
him the t real tires of /hates, who quickly fitted out 

ion Ablyittis in purfiiit of 


carrying with 


a ileet, and lent his 


them. 


Jaf 


and Medea feeing no poilibility of cfcaping, invited 
Ablvrtus to go on fit ore, under pretence of an 
accommodation, but no looner was he landed than 
they murdered him, and ftrewed his limbs in dif¬ 
ferent places, in order to detain his fokliers, who 
they imagined would Hay to collect and bury them. 

This extract from the poem of Onomacritus is 
entirely contradicted by hiltory, which even par- 
ticulaiifes the different countries through winch 
Abfyrtus palied in ftareh of the fhip Aigo. 

The ancient poets have given accounts of the 
return of jafon j but the Argonauts wherever they 
flopped having left monumeni.s of their padhgr, 
die leaiity of their return could never be called in 
doubt by Lhtoriun.s, and we In.ill give what they 
relate upon lids fubjed'. idle ii* accounts will 
be found frequently much interlarded with fiction. 


The Argonauts eoalled along the eaftern ihore 

t j O 



406 RETURN OF THE ARGONAUTS. 

of Afia, croffed the Cimmerian Bofphorus nr. ’ 
the Palus Mseotis, and entered the northern 


OCe,: 


Steering afterwards to the left, they reached e : 
ifland of Peuccfta, which was known to the | 
Anceus. Hence they proceeded to the if- 
Circe, which princefs, according to Ononiiui;. 
tus, refufed to purify Jafon from the murder hi 
Abfyrtus. Purfuing their route, hiftorians Uv rii-y 
arrived at the pillars of Hercules, whence they re¬ 
entered the Mediterranean, and near Sicilypafiai r.ve 
ftra.it of Scylla and Charybdis, where thev v.ouii 
have perifhed had it not been for the afiifhincv d 
Thetis. The Syrens had nearly proved fatal to 
them, when they were faved by Orpheus; and. 
arriving in the country of the Phoenicians, here nv: 
the fleet of Abfyrtus, the commander of v.!i:.h 
demanded the reftitution of Medea. It was aurr. J 
on both fules that, in cafe fire was not his wife, 
Tafon fhould reftore her. The wife of Aicinoi- 


bcing chofen arbitrefs, rvifired to favour ja.'ui, 
and caiding his nuptials with Medea to be cdt- 
brated during the night, declared the follow i ::; 1 
clav to the fleet of /Petes that none had any chi::: 


to J\ 


/» 


J a lb 


The Arr’turau'> 


_ , . I 

were then at liberty to depart, and quitting tar 
country of the Phoenicians experienced a heavv 
florin, which drove them upon the quick!.u...' , ; 
Africa, where they found thenifclves in tli 


ie ii’.. - 


imminent dancer. At laft they arrived at A, 


* . ' 



t 

O 


% 

« » 




RETURN OF THE ARGONAUTS. 


407 


J afo 


% * 
tD 


Circe, made atonement for his crime. Every ob- 
j r ct of their voyage being accomplilhed, they 
arrived on the coaft of Thdlaly, whence they 
J j ad originally departed. Pelias, fays Pau- 
lanias, having died during their ablence, his lbn 
Acaftus invited his fellow-adventurers to celebrate, 
before they feparnted, funeral games in honour of 
ids father, at which Jafon and Medea abided, 
'j'his fable, mentioned by Paufanias, a.nd confirmed 

circumflanccs which he quotes, proves 



by 

■ 

clearly that Medea was by no means concerned in 

J ' 

the death of Pelias; on the contrary, the fame au¬ 
thor relates, that his brother /Efon committed 
that crime, by compelling him to drink the blood 
of a bull. The Argonauts, before their reparation, 
made a league for their mutual defence, and to 
give it the more folemnity, I lercules affembled 


them in the plains of Elis to celebrate the Olympic 
(James, which had been for fomc time interrupted, 
and were again lb after his death. 

n 

Jafon confeerated the fhip Argo in t.hc iflhmus 
of Corinth., and by the poets it was aftenvauls 
Jiiaced among the conllellations. 'Phis celebrated 
i spedirion took place about thirty years before the 


/ * * 


j roian war. 


Ancient Iiiflorians allure us, that Abfyrtus loll 
Jm » life in a naval combat, w hich took place on 
Ivaxine lea when the licet of* /knes overtook 

the 


0 0 4 



9 


408 


ADVENTURES OF MEDEA AND JASON. 

cronauts. Herodotus lavs, that Lx 


prince and his fon fell in this engagement, which 
left the Argonauts at liberty to purfue their vw. 


age. When driven by a temped: upon the conit 
of Lybia, a prince of that country named Euryplus 
gave them great affiftance, and provided them with 


guides to conduct them through the difficult pafihttc 
of the Syrtes. The fable paints this hofpitable prince 
under the form of a Triton. Jafon, in acknow¬ 
ledgment for his fervices, prefented him with ?. 
golden tripod, which was fuppofed to have the \ir- 
tue of giving oracles. 


CONTINUATION OF TPIE ADVENTURES 

MEDEA AND JASON. 

The hiftory of Jafon after Jiis return item 
Colchis, and that of Medea, are fo diliercnrly 
related, that it is extremely difficult to diflingaiia 


the truth. Some hiftorians, and particularly the 
poets, defcribe her as themurderefs of her brum r. 
They fay fheeaufed Pelias to be malfacred by !.i 
own daughters, giving them the dreadful corn:.-: 
to cut him in pieces, and put his limbs into a caul¬ 
dron of boiling water, alluring them that Itrriis 
which die pointed out to them would rciiure 

% j 

him to youth and vigour. The fame poets am,, 

that die caufed Glaucis her rival, daughter el 

.* * 

Creon, to perilh miferably, and that her luriout 




i * t »■ 

^ in w 




ADVENTURES OF MEDEA AND JASON. 


4°9 . 


jealoufy even led her to facrifice the two children 
which Hie had by Jafon. Other authors fpeak of 
her in the highell ftrain of eulogium, they aflert 
that flie was a lover of virtue, and only reproach 
her with having been too much guided by her 
paflion for Jafon, who bafely abandoned her, not- 
withftanding the two pledges of affedion die had 
brought him. They even reprefent her as em¬ 
ploying all the knowledge flie derived from her 
mother Hecate, in relieving and healing thole 
who applied to her. Li fliort, they relate that this 
unhappy perfecuted princcfs, having in vain re¬ 
minded Jafon of his oaths and promifes, was 
obliged to wander from court to court in fearch 


of an alylum. 

In reading thole poets who have accufcd her of fo 
many crimes, we may perceive that they v obliged 
to own flie was born virtuous, and had been hurried 
on to the commiflion of vice by a lbrt of fatality, 
or by the impulfe of the oft ended gods, particularly 
Venus, who relentlefsly purfiicd the race of Apollo 
for having difeovered her attachment to Mars. 
Thefe poetical accounts compared with hillory, 
clearly fliow, that the ancient tragic writers, to give 
greater effed to their pieces, have entirely disfi¬ 
gured the hiftory of that princefs, in order the 
better to infpire terror and companion. Some 
hiftorians giving credit to fads which were mifre- 
prefented, have tranfmitted to us the hillory of 


Medea 



410 ADVENTURES OF MEDEA AND JASON’, 


Medea under the moft odious colours ; 


and ui d.:. 


they have been imitated by our modern tr-- • 


poets 


We fliall mention fome of the 


n- 


V 1 




which induce us to believe that Medea van . 
fo criminal as lire has been reprefented. \\\ ■ . 

already drown that Abfyrtus periihen in a r .v.d 
combat, long after he was laid by the poets t- . „ , 
been murdered by Medea and Jafon, then i,,i 
this crime fire can never be aceuied. The II :.- 
of" her having advifed the daughters of /Ah.; ■■■, 
cut their father in pieces is void of any found: : - 
in truth. This prince expired under the ha:, 
his brother Ad Ion, who, as we have /hid, conus i'J 
him to /wallow bullock’s blood. Wlu n the .\r:.c- 
nauts returned he was already dead, and we liar c lie;: 
that thofe heroes, at the intreaty of Aca/lus, cele¬ 
brated his funeral honours with the greauft j.-.-e..:., 
Jafon and Medea being prefent, without the k.:' 
fiirprife being expreiied, or accufation prea. it 
on tiit: part of th.at prince who was ion to i-Vii. 
Idi/loiy acquaints us with the origin of 11;i-» ! , 

it relates, that, after the death of /Alia:, am!... 
Aca/lus and Jafon difputed the crown 3 the 
of A call us was triumphant; Jafon and Medea w . • 
obliged to 11 y, and embarking on boaw 
tailed the /dragon, arrived at Corinth, then ; 
by Croon, who dared not refu 1c them an 
bccauJc Medea had prctcnJions to thar 
Thcfc preten/ions appear the more cum::' 


* + 


\ < 


'/ci: < .* 


t » 


\ J 


Ml. 


v ; U . . 


.b 


J [ 11 i. ^ 


X 



ADVENTURES OF MEDEA AND JASON. 


411 


EumeliuSj a grave hiftorian and a native of Corinth, 
affures us that Medea divided that kingdom with 
Creon. Diodorus Siculus fays, that the Corin¬ 
thians themfclves invited Medea to quit Iolchos, 
and come to take po/Teflion of a throne which be¬ 
longed to her by right. J le adds, that Medea and 
Jafon lived ten years in that city in the greatcfl: 
harmony, during which they had two children ; it 
was then that jafon, abandoning himillf to his 
infidelitv, forgot the obligations which he had to 

* } O O 

Medea. He violated the facred laws ol marriage, 
at that time much refpetftcd, efpoufed Glaucis, 
daughter of king Creon, and divorced Medea. 
Such is the hiflory which the poets have fo dif- 


figured in their fables, 


poems 


and tragedies 


Medea, according to their accounts, font her rival 
an empoiioned robe (like the veft of Ncflbs) which 
terminated her exiftcnce with the moft excruciating 
torments. She fet fire to the palace of Creon, 
who periihed in the flames, and thinking hcrlelf 


not yet Jufiicieiiily revenged, with her own hands 
Ihe tore in pieces her two Ions, Phcres and Memcr- 


ens. Terrified at having committed fo many 
u imes, and dreading the vengeance of Jafon, flic 
had recourle to h< r knowledge of magic, mounted a 
tia.iriot drawn by two dragons, and borne through 
die air came ter liercuks, whole afliflancc Ihe 
implored in revenging her. Being rcpulled by that 
lieio with indignation, and become the horror and 

detella- 



Si 

X 


a 


ADVENTURES OF MEDEA AX'D JASON. 


deteftation of mankind, fhe came to Athens 


fearch of an afylum. There is 


no mention 


1 M 


11 


i /* 


hiftory of the horrible event fo well know 
the name of Medea’s farewell. A well an; 1 :^ i.;i- 
cated tradition aflerted, that either to o-m.a 3 
the death of Creon, of which Medea was inn at 1 
or to avoid the war which the prctaifiun- t:, 
children of this princefs had to the crown i:h : - 
have excited, the Corinthians themfcIves nialT.n.i 
the fe two young princes. They had taken n ;1 
in the temple of Juno, but in vain; the prnjf: 
dragged them from this facred afylum, and to;•• 
them in nieces. Not long after, being vilitui [\ 

X L/ ^ -** • 

a pcflilencc, the Corinthians went to confab the 
oracle, from which they learned, that their caia- 
niittes would not ceafe till they had expiated wd: 
horrid Jacrilege. 

■ It was on this occafion they infiituted a lidiwi 
which fubfhlcd long after. Taufar.ias relaics, f ,a 
they offered facri fices in honour of the child." no, 


Medea, and conlccrated a flatuc to diem, 
reprefemed fear. This Hattie was flili to hr : m 
in his time, in memory of this ciimc, and..-.., 
atonement for it, the Corinthians cut the 
their children, and made them wear mow:, m a. 


t t i » . i 


' l :• < 


a certain a : n 


f »r 
11 .» 


Thclc leads, fierilices, nil'm;.s. a;\i l!.i 

arc !ir. Mumuits much more v.oithy of c» -:Ja, ( - 

* 

the i ’vciuions of the poets. 


1 



ADVF.XTV.IKS OF Ml' OF. A AND JAsON'. 4 I 3 



The brilliant genius of Euripides could not in¬ 
validate the records and writings of his time, and 
we find in feveral ancient authors, that the Corin¬ 
thians, hearing Euripides had chofen Medea for the 
Jiibjc£t of one of his tragedies, made him an offer 

he accepted) of five talents, on condition 
that he would employ all his art to exculpate them 

from a crime which rendered the memory of their 

♦ 

fathers odious and clcJpic:able throughout all 
Greece. Some time after, another ftory was pro¬ 
pagated to brand with imam v the memory of Me¬ 
dea. It is in Ovid vve iruct with it. l ie lays, Me¬ 
dea, after having maluic red the children ofjafcn, 
took refuge at Athens, and mimed fuch influence 

J v. s 

over huge us, that fne perfuaded him to marry her. 
During thefe trail factions, continues this author, 
Thelcus, for the firfl time, prefented hiinlelf before 
/hgeus, bringing with him the fword which was to 
be the proof of his defeent. Medea, from whom 
nothing was concealed, endeavoured to perfuade 
/hgeus to poiion this young prince at a banquet. 
The fatal cup was prepared; but Thefeus h.aving 
made Iiimlcli known, as we have already laid, Me¬ 
dea, all mined o! having tailed in this attempt, 
cleaped in the lame chariot which (be had made 
ule of to avoid the vengeance of fafon. This 
['.aion falls ol itlclf, when we rccollc/l that /Emus 

l. > 

t!u*cw liiirifclf into the lea, which bears his name, 
on feeing the vcfiel which had carried Thvibir; 


to 

the 


\ 



4*4 


ADVENTURES OF MEDEA ANI) JASON. 


the ifle of Crete, in his expedition againft the Mi 


mo- 


taur, return without hoifting the appointed 
This event which happened while Theieus \\ >;i 
very young, took place long before the time \vhc- ;i 
Jafon abandoned Medea for the daughter of Creofe 
and obliged her to take refuge at Athens. IJdiJo-, 
Thefeuswas the companion of the Argonauts. 1; 
is furprifing that fo flagrant a contradiction was no; 

fufficient to check the inventive fancy of the p .v\ 

♦ 

After the arrival of Medea at Athens, no funk; 

mention is made of her. A few authors, howvv. r. f.r; 

» 

that fhe crofied the fea, to procure a remm, 
with Jafon, that they returned to Cokhk, \ ;.c 
they rein dated dEetes on the throne, from x.i.ici: 
had been driven by a fadtionj they add, that lot: 

« y • 

acquired fuch glory by his conqucfls in Lovar 

Afia, that lie was honoured there as a divkhv, 

and that after his death. Menus, his fon, bulb: 

city of Medea, in honour of his mother, and do:,: 

was from him the Medes derived their name. 

But all the traditions of the Greeks ague a 

faying, that fafon died in Theflalv. 

They allli rc us, that after his ft para t bn Ir 

Medea, iic led a wandering life, and that oiv iT 

* *./ 7 

repoflng himfelf on the ka fliore, under the ii ;• •' 
oftlie (iiij) Argo, abeam fell from it, and cruilu 
him to death. This hill account appears nr,r 
credible. 



hUSTORY OF CASTOP. AND POLI.UX. 


4 *5 


HISTORY OF CASTOR AKD POLLUX. 


Castor and Pollux, for the many illuf!> 
rlmis a 51 ions they performed, were dignified with 
tiic appellation of the Ions of Jupiter. Their filters 
v/cre Melen and Clytemneftra. 

The fihle fiiys, that Jupiter having metamor- 
plinlVd himlelf into a fwan, Venus alunned the 
K;tm of an eagle and purfued him: he took lrfune 
with Lula, and fome time after it was pretended, 
t:::it Caftor and Clytemneftra, Pollux and Me¬ 
lt a, had proceeded from two eggs. Pollux and 
Helen were regarded as the defeendants of Jupi¬ 
ter, Caftor and Clytemneftra were fuppofed the 
children of Tyndarus. To explain this fable we 
mu it remark, that in thofe times palaces contained 
chambers of an oval form, nearly refemblintr an 

• o 

this, perhaps, was fufficient to occafion the 
i.’.b'c we havejult related. 

Thc\c princes and princefles were born on the 
of the riverEurotas, in Laconia, near Sparta. 
Oh this river were always ieen a number of fwans, 

v,!:ic h gave the poets an idea of introducing that 
Vl]to their fable. The beauty of Leila, Jier 
bur complexion, and fine turned neck, eauied her 
to be compared to a fwan, and tlicfe circum- 

with the embeliifhnients of the poets, 
T educed the fable of Jupiter and Lcda. How¬ 


ever 



HISTORY OF CASTOR AMD POLLUX. 


416' 

ever this may be, Caftor and Pollux wei;e for tI K :r 
heroic valour looked upon as fons of Jupiter, a-j 
went by the name of Diofcures, a r;'.:w 
under which they afterwards received didr.v 
honours. It was in the expedition to Colei: i-, tint 
thefe two heroes mod: diftinguifhed themJ-Jv-s, 
During a femueft, in which the Argo had r.caik 


perifhed, they, with Orpheus, made a vow ta 'vi¬ 
tiate themfelves into the myfteries of Samotiiradr,, 
The divinities of this country were called h abids, 
and pafled for the Ions of the Egyptian idem:, 
adored in Egypt as the meft powerful and chid - of 
the gods. 

Nothing was more celebrated, or more Jarred, 
than thefe myfteries of Sarncthracia. Pardcukrly 
they were fuppofecl to have the power ol rendering 
the gods propitious in long voyages. 

Pollux, while going on this expedition, killed 
the famous Amycus, who challenged the 
world to fight with the Ccftus. This victory, and 
that which he obtained at the Olympic Games, 
when celebrated at Elis, by the defire of Her¬ 
cules, caufed him to be regarded as the perron 

* • * 

of wreftlers. At thefe fame games, Caller, Ini 
brother, diftinguifhed himfelf in the race, and 


whole 


in the art of breaking horfes. 

After the voyage to Colchis thefe two heron 

became very formidable by fea, and cleared tl' c 

Archipelago of the corfuirs which iniefted it. 

for 



* 


I 


HISTORY OF CASTOR AND POLLUX. 417 

For this fervice, they were after their death ranked 
among the gods favourable to mariners. This ho¬ 
nour was thought due to them, becaufe, during a 
ftorm which endangered the fhip Argo, fires were 
feen to play round the heads of the Tyndarides, 
and the inftant after the ftorm ceafed. From that 
time, thofe fires which frequently appear on the 
furface of the ocean were called the fires of Caftor 
and Pollux. When two were feen at the lame 
time, it announced the return of calm, when only 
one, it was the prefage of a dreadful ftorm. This 
fpecies of fire is frequently feen by failors, and is 
a fpecies of ignis fatuus. 

In revenge for an infult offered to their filter, 
thefe two heroes took the city of Aphidnae, but 
contented themfelves with punilhing thofe who 
had committed the offence. The Athenians, 
charmed with this moderation, inftituted feftivals to 
their honour under the name of Anaftce, which is 
derived from a greek word fignifying king. Not 
long after they gave occafion to call their prudence 
and moderation in queftion. Being invited as re¬ 
lations to the nuptials of Idas and Lynceus, they 
carried off Phoebe and Hilara, daughters of Leu¬ 
cippus. Idas, and Lynceus, the intended hufbands 
of thefe two ladies, purfuecl the ravilhers. Lyn¬ 
ceus was firft killed by Caftor, who in his turn 
fell by the hands of Idas. Pollux arrived too late 
to lave his brother, but he revenged his death 

E e with 



4 18 IJIsTORY OI ? CASTOR AND POLLUX. 

with that of Idas. Pollux, fays the fable, in If; 
quality of fon to Jupiter, was immortal, but he 
begged his father either to buffer him to die, or 
permit him to fhare his immortality with his brother 
Caftor. Jupiter granted his requcfl. They iu c . 
ceeded each other alternately upon earth, and in 
the manfions of the dead. This fable is foundc 


cj 

death 


Upon the circumftance of their being after 

reprefented by the fign called die twins; and a : 

one of the Pars which compoic that fign ajij'.t-ar: 

above the horizon whilil the other reniai.r 

concealed, the poets invented tills pretended di- 

vifion of immortality. Iliilory informs us that 

¥ + 

they were both buried near beyades, a town b 

Laconia, and according to a cullom abfurd eiioug:;, 

but common at that time, their temple wasercub 

by the fide of their tomb. 

They were firft iionoured as heroes ; but the 

Greeks afterwards admitted Grin to the rank C. 

their fuperior divinities, and the Romany vd" 

eonilandy imitated the Greeks, Iionoured them i: 

¥ 

the lame char.tifer. They were thought frequnith 

4 f 

to aj)j)ear to men, and were generally repre lento, 
on Jiorfeback, under the figure of two young mm 
wearing a cap with a liar upon the top of it. 1 
manner of jvnrelenting them proves, t!ut i-- 

x - 

equcfl.ian art was known before the Trojan war. 


fUSI (Ml 



HISTORY OF ORPHEUS. 


i *9 


HISTORY OF ORPHEUS. 


Some learned men, from a paffage which 
", e meet with in Cicero, have called the exiftence 
of Orpheus in queflion ; but this opinion cannot 
diferedit that of all antiquity, and of the graved 
hiftorians. In every account of the Argonautic 
expedition, which has been tranfmittcd to us, we 
find him conftantly mentioned. Some indeed 
reckon five of the name of Orpheus, and relate 
the particular adventures ofeach, from whence they 
conclude that it has been the fame with this cele¬ 
brated perfonage as with Hercules, and that the 
aflions of leveral have been united to form the 
hiflory of one man. Orpheus was foil of CEagrus. 
king of Thrace, and the Mule Calliope. The 
brilliancy of his talents caufed him to be regarded 
as the offspring of Apollo. Mufcus was his fon. 
The application of Orpheus to matters of religion, 
and his different voyages to acquire that fpecies of 
knowledge, obtained for him the title of high pried, 
as well as king, lie was regarded as the ininider 
and interpreter of the will of the Gods. 

Before his time the flute was aimed the only 
'iiRrument in ulr ; he invented the .harp, which it 
v.'us pretended he had received from Apollo and 
Mercury ; to him the lyre was indebted for two 
uldiiional firings. Orpheus had many who imi¬ 
tated 


i. e a 



4 20 


HISTORY OF ORPHEUS# 


tated him, but none who ever excelled him; the 
invention of hexameter verfe is aferibed to him ; 
he was at once great in the different characters oV 
theologian, philofopher, and mufician, He de- 
feribed the origin of the world, by faying that from 
a large egg proceeded love, and that love was the 
principle of all beings. This definition, given by 
one of the greateft men of antiquity, proves how 
unable is genius itfelf, when left to its ownftrenptu 
and conclufions, to attain tire elevated idea of m::- 
only God,, all powerful, and creator of ail tiling. 
CEagrus, his father, gave him his firft notions 0 
religion, bv inftrudting him in the mviterirs <.i 

O J j o 


Bacchus, as they were at that time praiiikd in 
Thrace. He afterwards placed himfclf under the 
tuition of the Dabtvli Id ad, but it was particularly 
during his refulence in Egypt, that he became 
acquainted with the myfterics of Bacchus, or Gfiris. 


and of Ifis or Ceres. Concerning initiations. 

o 

funeral ceremonies, and other points of religions 
vvorfhip, he acquired a knowledge much fuperior 
to that which he noffefied before, it 


was Ironi 


this country lie brought the llorv of the infenu! 


'.J 


regions, tire orgies, and other ceremonies ahrr 




warns auopted by the Greeks. After him Mill'us 
liis fon, Ivlclampus, and feveral others made the 


lame voyage. 


* U 1 

“ I U 


Orpheus at his return into Greece made hinih 

great coahdcration, by pci funding the natives that lit 

knt v/ 



HISTORY OF ORPHEUS. 


421 


knew the means of expiating crimes, purifying the 
guilty, healing unknown difeafes, and appeafingthe 
anger of the gods. From the funeral ceremonies 
of the Egyptians he borrowed the materials for his 
defeription of the infernal regions. This was the 
moll powerful check upon vice which that great 
man thought it poflible to impofe. Among the 
fEginetes he inftituted the myfccries of Hecate; and 
thofe of Ceres he eftablifhed at Sparta. In 
the religion of the Greeks lie made fuch conficicr- 
able alterations for the better, that he mu ft be 
regarded as the Hrftand greateft of their reformers. 
He much improved, likewife, their manner of 
living; in fhort, his talents and the eminent fervice 
which he rendered mankind have jufrly procured 
him a place among the mod celebrated men of 
antiquity. Having had the misfortune to lofe his 
wife Eurydiec whom he tenderly loved, he went 
to a place in Thefprotia called Aornos. Here an 
ancient Oracle gave anlwers, and pretended to 
have the power of railing up the (pints of the dead; 
and indeed Orpheus for a moment thought he law 
and haul found his dear Eurydiec; but the iilufion 
lafled only a moment; file vanifhed from hi* fight; 
he vainly turned himfelfon every lide in fearcli of 
her: delpair and anguiih now took pofTefiion of his 
foul, and the friendly hand of death foon once 
ruorc united h.iin to liis beloved fpouie. Other 
audiors relate his death differently: they iay, that 


e 1: 3 


t'C 



HISTORY OK ORPHEUS. 


422 


the Thracian women, enraged to fee thernfclves 
abandoned by their hufbands, who were following 

o 

Orpheus, lay in wait for him and tore hi 
pieces. Plutarch allures us of this fa£l, and adds 
that the men revenged his death by their treatment 
of their wives. Some authors agreeing with hi 


m to 


1 I 

\ 4 


l'iv 


tarcH as to the manner of his death, pretend 
he was maffacred in Macedonia ; and it is crvrj^ 
that his tomb was to be leen near the d:v of 


Dion. It confillcd of one iimple pillar bo.iring :> 
marble urn. 

The voyage of Orpheus into Thefprotia .give 
rife to the fable ot his defeent into the infernal re¬ 
gions. Orpheus, fays Virgil, by the harmony of 
his voice, fufpended the torments of the damned. 
Pluto himfelf could not refill, but reftored to 


him Eurydice, on condition that he lliould 
not look behind him. His anxious tendernels 
could not be redrained, lie looked and loll once 
more his cleared treafure. 

In the time of Orpheus, magic and the conju 
ration of the dead were much pruflifed ; this 
undoubtedly gave rife to the fable of Orpheus 
having again found Eurydice. Some authors ex¬ 
plain it emu rctitly. They fay, that die was hii 
ten by a ferpent, and that Orpheus cured lut; 
but being (hortly after attacked by another c 1 i ! <>r- 
derj which proved fatal, that this gave octad'r 



HISTORY OF ORPHEUS. 


1 ? 


to 


the ftory of a fecond defcent into the infernal 

regions. 

The poetical productions of Orpheus were few 

in number and very fhort. The I .ycomides (an 
Athenian family) knew them by heart, and ufed 
to ling them in celebrating their myfleries. Thefe 
hymns had not the elegance of Homer’s verles, 
yet they were adopted by religion; an honour 
not conferred upon the poems of the author of 
the Iliad. 

None of the works of Orpheus are now re¬ 
maining ; the Argonautics and Orphics are by 
Onamacritus, contemporary with Pififlratus, or 
1 ’ome other author unknown. The fable which 
defcribcs Orpheus as followed by wild beads 
and even rocks, is an allegory to delcribe his 
cxquifite flcill in the fcience of mufic ; it like- 
wile is meant to exprels that he employed his 
talents in civilizing the rude unpolilhed manners 
of his time. 

Orpheus was contemporary with the Argonauts. 

1 lie charm and illulions attached to his me¬ 
mory occafioned it to be laid, and even in¬ 
duced a perfuafton, that the nightingales in the 
vicinity of his tomb furpaflcd all others in rite 
luxngth anti melody of their voices. None could 
walk under the Ihade e.| the leered wood which 
iurrounded his urn, without eureriencii'm a relmi- 

i o o 

iHb veneration, and the imagination, drawn by a 



CA LY DON I AN HUNT. 


4M- 

plcafing, tender melancholy, thought at evcrv 
noife it heard the lighs of Orpheus, ami law t ;- iC 
wandering ihade of poor Eurydice. 


CALYDONIAN HUNT, MELEAGER, 

ATALANTA. 


rmi 


1 he hiftory of this hunt is found in 1 [o- 
mer j we fhall fir ft give his account, which ;■ 
entirely devoid of fidlion, except the 
vention of the goddefs Diana; and afte iv.atus v. c 
(hall notice the additions made to it bv other 


tnttr- 


poets 


JEu 


ried on a cruel war under the walls of Caivdun. 

¥ 

The AEtolians defended the city, which the (Are¬ 
tes attacked with all their forces. This war had 
been excited by Diana, to revenge Iter fell up'P. 
CEneus, who had forgotten her in his faerie re?. 
Enraged to fee her altars negledted, fhe lent a 

o o ' 

monftrous boar, which fpread devaftation thrmiy.'i 
the cultivated lands, tore up trees, and deloh-.n! 
the whole country. The brave Meleager, ion d 
(Eneus, alfcmblcd a troop of hunters, to is 
queft of this terrible animal, which had ainai’ 
filled ybitoliawith mourning. The boar was 


.•It- ! 


by Meleager, but Diana’s wrath was not ycl .:p- 
pcafed. Irritated by this goddefs, the /kt<.L::> c . 
and Curetcs difputed the honour of poiieiliii;'. I'lf 


♦ 




CALYDONIAN HUNT. 


4^5 


j^j n of this monftcr, and nothing but a war 
could terminate their difference. The brave Me¬ 
leager at the head of the Astolians was not daunted 
by the fuperior force of the Curetes; when he Tal¬ 
lied forth nothing could protedl thefu from his fury. 

Ic was in one of thefe bloody combats that he 
flew the two brothers of his mother Althaea. 
Diicon folate for her lofs, !he yields to the indig¬ 
nation which kindles in her bofom, and with hor¬ 


rid imprecations calls on Proferpine and Pluto to 
revenge her by the death of her ion. Now 
fierce and cruel Difcord rode triumphant through 
the furrounding air ; fire hears Althaea’s cries, and 


pica fed, Tie echoes back the welcome found. The 
fiery Meleager heard too, and his proud heart. 


fwollen with rage and diilkin, refoived to abandon 


the Atolians to the hoflile attack. 


Retired with 


liis wife Cleopatra, he refufes even to hear the 
iffue of the battles fought. His ablence gives 
freflr courage to the Curetes, they redouble their 
attacks, and the Astolians are nearly vanquifhed. 

The mod ancient fages, and the moil vene¬ 
rable priefls, are then deputed to Meleager to 
requeft Iris aid in the prclervaiion or Calydon. 
Chneus, alarmed at the danger which tlucat- 
ens his city and his fubjetTs, calls himfelf at the 
feet of his fon. The brothers of Meleager join 
their fupplieations, and even his mother, touched 
■'I'th repentance, unices her tears; but all in vain ; 




CALYDONIAN HUNT. 


42 6 

he remains inflexible. In the mean while the Cu¬ 
re tes, already mailers of the city walls, prefi-nc 
themfelves before the avenues of the palace; al¬ 
ready are their hands armed with torches to con- 
fume it; it was then the beautiful Cleopatra oc¬ 
her knees befought him to proted her from Co 
impending danger. 

Unable to refill fo many tears and fupp|;,-.->. 
tions, he once more takes his arms; fury (par- 
kies in his eyes, he darts into the thicket! of the 
fight and bears down all before him ; death and 
deftrudion mark every ftep. The vanquilhcd 
foe now only thinks of flight, and Calydon is iaval 
by his victorious arm. 

In this account of Homer, as we have obfermi, 
nothing is fabulous but the intervention of Di 


ana; 


the other fads are recorded in hiflory. That port 
gives the names of the principal hunters, among 
whom we diftinguifh Thefeus, and the beautiful 
Atalanta, fo famous for her fvviftnefs in the chare. 
It was at her feet Meleager laid the fkin of the 


Calydonian boar, the fatal caufe of the ticath o' 
his uncles, Plcxippus and Toxcus. 

Ovid, and the poets who fucceetk’d I Iorner, have 
made many additions to this account. It uas 
they who invented the (lory ol the fatal brain! to 
which the days of Meleager were attached. ’iin\ 
fay that at the moment ol' his birth, the hau 1 
put into the lire a brand, and predided that thu 


run 


r 



CALYDOXIAM I-IU.VT. 


4^7 

prince fhould expire as foon as that brand was 
ronfumcd ; they then began to fpin the thread of 
],is ffl'e, and the brand was already in flames when 
they left the apartment of Althaea. No fooner 
were they gone, than that princefs flew towards 
the fire, feized the brand, and carefully prcferved 
it to prolong the days of her fon ; but when Me¬ 
leager had flain his two uncles, who difputed him 
rhefldn of the Calydonian boar. Althaea, going to 
return thanks to the gods for the fuccefs of her 
fon, met the dead bodies of her two brothers j 
impelled by a blind fury, and forgetful of mater¬ 
nal tenderncfs, lire committed to the flames the 
fatal brand, and Meleager perifhe-d in a few mo¬ 
ments, as though confumed by fire. 

The cruel Althaea, when her rage had fubfkied, 
unable to fupport ib afflicting a fight, terminated 
her exigence, and the two filters of Mele; _ 
of grief. It was pretended they were changed into 
birds called Meleagridcs. Gfiieus, after the death 
of Althaea, married Perhibma, by whom he had 
nioniedes. Paulanias relates, that one of the 
talks of this boar was to be fern at Rome. It 
rvas of a molt enormous fr/.c. Augullus had it 
brought from the town of Tegca, as well as the 
fl.ittu- of Minerva, to punifh tin: Arcadians for 

j 

,|avm g taken part againlt him in his war with 
In'ony, Cleopatra, wife of Meleager, was 
' "V.'ittT 10 Warns, brorhi.v of l.vnceus and Mar- 

1 pefla. 



4^8 


HIPPOMEMES AXD ATAI.A X 7 A. 


Me 


patra, married Protefilaus, who was the fir ft 
landed on the Trojan Ihore, though the oracle 'a! 
predicted death to him who fhould fiilc tm: j 
that fatal bank. Polydora, unable to furvivc ti,c 
lofs other hufband, died foon after. 

We lit all here likewife infert the fable of Atalarm, 
as told by Ovid. 

^ She had confecrated herfelf to Diana, but from 
her extraordinary beauty became the object of 
univerfal purfuit. Wifhing to deliver herlelf from 
fo many importunities, fhe promifed to efpoufe 


him who fhould outftrip her in the race; but on 
condition that her fuitors fhould be without arms, 
whereas flic fhould be armed with a javelin, and 
have the liberty of piercing thole to the heart 


who fhould be vanquifhed. The conditions were 
accepted. Already had feveral paid the forfeit of 
their lives, when Hippomenes p re fen ted Iiiinlelf. 
Venus, whom he invoked, proved favourable to 
his prayers; flic gave him three apples from 
the garden of the Hefperides. Thus provided, 
Hippomenes repaired to the courfe. The ren¬ 
ditions imported that the candidate fhoti!.! fuft 
find. By the advice of Venus, when nearly nor 
taken, lie dropped one of his apples, which Atai.uu.i, 
relying on her fwiftnefs, flopped to pick up, 

♦ 

r!i.*n Ice fail another, and afterwards a rhii\!, 

iiRc\.iic Raid to collect, bat unable tn rx-'-’. 


t • * 

[ * 


3 


► ' 



CHOR.'ESL'S. 


4^9 v 


the time loft, Hippotnenes firft reached the goal, 
an d efpoufed her. Having afterwards profaned 
the temple of Cybele, or a wood confecrated to 
that goddefs, Hippomenes was transformed into 

; t lion, and Atalanta into a lioneft. 

The little occafion we fliaD have hereafter to 
fpeak of the city of Calydon, induces us to place 

here the hiftory of Chortefus. 

This Chortcfus, who was high prieft to Bacchus, 

conceived a moil violent affection for Callirrhoe, a 
princefs of the royal blood. In vain did he try 
every art to pleafe her, fne was infenfible to all 
his efforts. Defpairing of fuccefs, he invoked the 
aid of Bacchus, who infpired the Calydonians with 
iuch a furious intoxication that they flaughtered 
each other. The oracle being applied to, returned 
for anfwcr, that this calamity could not be removed 
but by facrificing Callirrhoe, or him who fhould 
devote himfelf to fave her. Already the altar 
awaited its vidlim, and the people ot Calvdon with 
loud voices demanded the horrible iacriHcc from 
which they hoped for fafety. Choradtis holding 
the facred knife advanced, the unhappy maid 
is brought bound to his feet, her tender limbs 
confined with galling bands, her bofom ex- 
j.'ofcd to the fatal blow. ChoraTus cafts on her 


a parting look; his faultering hand iufpcnds the 
uplifted blow; tumultuous murmurs rife; he 





43 & 


TWO TIIEBAN WARS, 


and ge n . : „ 

rous tendernefs ofChorasfus, could not furvive Inn,. 

1 * * • * i * 

* 

Ihe terminated her exiftence near the fountain A 
Calydon, which from that time was called hv Hr 
name. 



OF THE TWO THEBAN WWW 



of the 


fit,* 
^ * 


■ 

o conclude the hiflory 

¥ 

times, it remains for us to ipeak o 
Theban wars, dEfehylus, Sophocles and Km ,, • 
have made them the fabjccl of level.'.! lim; - 


• • « 


and Statius has celebrated them in an <;ph 
The finifhed performances of tlufe dliiih’/.a 
poets are too famous and too well know a r.c. •: 
merit the attention of our readers. Ex trad •> v,, ; 
but disfigure them, and befides are never hui'A 
tory. We hi all confine ourfelves tiu-n t.i 
abridgment of this hiilorv, and have no d.niit he: 
we hi all more oblige our readcis, by givir" dr 
account of them which we find in the tr.i. ci. <<: 


thing v,iiua v.i 


young Anacliarfis, than by any 
could write upon that fubjuft. 

“ The difpleafure o! the gods had long inn hi- 
vy over the kingdom of Thebes. Cadi: t. . unu" 
from the throne wliich he liiniieli i ok i neool.. 
Polydorus torn limb from hmb b» the Via; > hni’io, 
l.abdacus canled olfby a prcmauire dead), h •' v,r : 1 



TWO THEBAN WARS. 



a fon, an infant in the cradle, furrounded with ene- 

' X. 

mies; iuch had been the fate of the royal family 
Jince its original foundation, when Laius, fon and 
fucceflor to Labdacus, having twice loft and reco¬ 
vered the crown, efpoufed Epicafta, or Jocafta, 
daughter of Menoeceus. For thefe nuptials 
were referved the mod dreadful calamities. The 
ion that fltould fpring from this marriage, it had 
been foretold by the oracle, fhould be the mur¬ 
derer of his father, and the hulband of his mother. 
The child was born, and by his parents expofed to 
become the prey of wild beads. His cries, or 
chance, led to a dil'covery of him, and he was pre- 
fented to the queen of Corinth, who adopted him 
as her ion, and brought him up under the name 
of CEdqnis. When arrived at years of maturity, 
being informed of the dangers which he had ef- 
caped, lie coniulted the gods, and their minifters 
having by their anfwers confirmed what the oracle 


had precluded before his birth, he was precipitated 
into the misfortunes he wiflied to avoid. Deter¬ 
mined no more to return to Corinth, which he 

icgarded as his native country, he took the road 

* 

to Phocis, and meeting in a narrow way an old 
niarg who haughtily required him not to obflnLt 
the paflagc, and even ollered to remove him by 
violence, Qulipus fell upon him, and lltw him, 

-I his was his father Laius. 


After this fatal accident, the kingdom of Thebes 




43 2 


TWO THEBAN' WARS. 


and the hand of Jocafla were promifed to |,; n 
who Ihould deliver Thebes from the mi ferity u p, 
which it was afflifted. Sphynx, natural dan.d;fn 
ofLaius, having united herfelf with Ibmc band 1 -; 
laid wafte the country; detained travellers by ...:t- 
ful quefrions, and bewildering them in the 
cies of mount Phineus, betrayed their. inn, 
hands of her treacherous affociates. Ov.iit 

I * * ‘ • « 

A 

covered her retreats, difperfed the accompiu nf 
her crimes, and in reaping the fruit of his victory 
full 


r, M f ..! r l-/» 

11 * L x-i Li a. o 


cc 


oracle in its whole extent. 
Inceft reigned triumphant upon th 


e earth, hut 


heaven hailed to check its progrefs. An unwel¬ 
come difeovery came to confound this guilty pair. 


Jocafla 


by a violent 


and CEdip 



tore out 


his eyes, and died in Attica, where Thcfcus hud 
offered him an afylum. But according to ou.t r ac - 
counts, he was condemned to fupport the li^i.r, to 
fee the theatre of his crimes; and life, to tram.nit ir 
to children more criminal and more unhappy than 
himfelf. Thefe were Eteocles, Polynice.., Anti¬ 
gone and Ifmena, all of whom he had by Eurigunu 
his fccond wife. T Jic two princes were no iooncr 
of an age to govern, than they confined (dviijais 
in a remote part of his palace, and agreed to hold 
by turns the reins of government, during a ye.tr. 
Eteocles full mounted this throne, ever running 

■ ^ j 

on the brink of ruin, and refilled to rifi-zn :t ar iaC 

appoint'd 



433 


TWO THF.BAM WARS. 


appointed time. Polynices applied to Adraftus, 
king of Argos, to procure redrefs, who gave him 
his daughter in marriage, and promifcd him pow¬ 


erful affiftance. 

“ Such was the occafion of the firft expe¬ 
dition in which the Greeks dilplayed fo me 
knowledge of the military art. Before this time 
we have feen troops without order over-run a 
neighbouring country, and retire after having com¬ 
mitted fome temporary ravages and cruelties. In 
the war of Thebes, we fee projects concerted with 
prudence, and purfued with firmnefs; people of 
different nations afiembled in the fame camp, and 
fubjedkto the fame authority, difplayinga courage 
equal to the rigour of the feafons, the delays of a 
fiege, and the dangers of daily combats. Adraftus 
divided the command of the army with Polvnices, 
whom he wifhed to eftablifh on the Theban throne; 
the brave Tydeus, fon of CLCneus, king of Aitolia; 
the fiery Capaneus j Amphiaraus the augur; I lip - 
pomedon and Parthenopceus. After thele warriors, 
all illuftrious for their birth and valour, appeared 
a fuccellion Ids diftinguifhed for their meric and 




“ I lie army being put in motion, entered the 
foreflofNemca,where its genera 1 :; inflitutedgames, 
which are ftill celebrated witfi the greuteft 1'olemnity. 



After palling the 


ifthmus of Corinth, 


it pro¬ 
ceeded! 



TWO TIIF.BAN WARS. 


434 


ceeded into Bceotia, and compelled the troops 
Eteocles to confine theinfelves within the walls d 
Thebes. The Greeks were as yet unacqtuir.rrd 
with the art of taking a place defended by a fhror 

garrifon. All the efforts of the befiegers \. 

directed towards the gates, and all the her:-,, 

i. ' / £ ** 

the befii 


O 


actions 


in 

frequent 

Killies. 

^ ? • 

i n 

id 

mid alma! 

V enp; 

• 

p' •«< 

* * « i 


!v laid the 

brave 

c 

V. V. 1 a 

4 

tr 

on t!ie top 

VJ i l* 

1 ill . *. ? 

to 

dm wall, v. 

1 T i 

men i*. 

•code- 


and Polynices agreed tlicml’eives to dctern.i.g id j. 
difpute. The day was fixed, the place appc.i.ucd, 
the people in tears, the armies in filencc avaivd 
the event, when the two princes milling 
together, pierced each other with repeated wo::::. '. 


r 1 

L l j v 1 1 lli.-'* 


and even death, could not appeafe 
fual rancour. Their bodies were placed upon bit 
fame funeral idle, and with a view of cxprdiirg 


, ie. 


1)V a frightful imagine the lentimenis v. i 

J U \^J 

iiad an.mated them during life, it was pretwv ; ’ 
that the dame, penetrated with their hatred* m \ 

* i ’ 

divided, that their allies miaht not be conlouaum 

J *» 1 

Crcon, brother uf Jocalta, was charged, cluri:w^:’** 

minority of i aiodamas, ion of Ktcocles, with 

continuance of a. war which became cvrrv dn 

* # 

more fatal to the beliegers, and which was ar h.n 
terminated by a vigorous Tally on the part of tin 
Thebans, The combat was bloody j d ulein • in • 



435 


TWO 7 r UT.A\ r WARS 


the Aroian 

O 


generals were 


the greater part m 
flain. 

cc Aurelius, conflreincd to railv the fiege, could 
not bellow the rights of burial upon thole left dead 
in the field of battle. Thr 11-us was obliged to 


interpofe his authority, and compel Crcon to fub- 
mit to the rights of nations, which then began to 
be obferml. 'l'he victory of the Thebans only 
fufpended for a fliort time their deflxutlion. d’he 
Argian chiefs had left fons worthy to revenge them. 
When arrived at a proper age, the fe young princes, 
in whofe number were Diomcdes, fon of Tydeus, 
and Sthenelus, fon of Capaneus, at the head cf a 
formidable army entered the territory of their ene¬ 
my. A battle was foon fought, and the Thebans 
being defeated, abandoned their city, which was 
delivered up to pillage. Therfander, fon and fuc- 
celTor of Polynices, was killed feme years after on 
his way to the fiege of Troy. After his death 
Thebes was governed by two princes more of the 
fame family, but the fecond being fuddenly f ixed 
with madnefs, the Thebans, perfuaded that the 
Furies would haunt the blood of Cltdipus as long 
as a drop of it remained upon the earth, placed 
another family on the throne. Three generations 
after they adopted the republican form of govern- 
meat, which they iTiii retain." 




43 6 


TROJAN WAR# 


OF THE TROJAN WAR. 


The extraft we have juft given of the 
two Theban wars is fufficient, no doubt, to fhow the 
neceffity of recurring to thofe mafterJy perform¬ 
ances which the ancients have left us upon that 
interefting fubjeft. We think it advifable to 
adopt the fame plan, in fpeaking of the moft- 
celebrated event in the Grecian hiftory. When 
we mention Troy, the names of Homer and Virgil 
naturally occur to every mind. To prefume to 
make extracts from them, would be to militate 


again ft every principle of tafte. We fit all contcni 
ourfelves therefore with tranferibing what tht 
author of the travels of Anacharfis preients us 
with upon this fubjeft. 

5C The repofe which Greece enjoyed after 
the fecond Theban war, could not be of long 
duration. The chiefs of that expedition re¬ 
turned covered with glory ; the foldiers loaded 
with booty; both appeared with that pride 
and importance which ever accompany victory; 
and relating to their children and friends who ga¬ 
thered round them, the hiftory of their labour.' 
and exploits, made a powerful imprefiion upon 
the imagination, and kindled in every breall an 
ardent third for war. An event which quickly follow¬ 


ed, difeovered the eHefts which this had produced, 


« On 



TROJAN WAR. 


437 


« On the coaft of Ana, oppofite to Greece, 
reigned Priam, king of Troy, a peaceful prince, 
defcended from a long line of kings, having him- 
fclf a numerous race, almoft entirely compofed of 
youthful heroes. His kingdom, by its opulence, 
the bravery of his fuhjedts, and the alliances which 
he had formed with the Afiyrian monarchs, was 
equally as famous in that part of Afia as the 
kingdom of Mycenm was in Greece. 

“ The houfe of Arsros, eftablifhed in this latter 
city, acknowledged for its chief Agamemnon, 
fon of Atreus. He had annexed to his dominions 
thofe of Corinth, Sicyon, and feveral neighbour¬ 
ing cities. His power, increafed by that of his 
brother Menelaus, who had juft efpouled Helen, 
heirefs to the kingdom of Sparta, gave him great 
influence in that part of Greece called, from his 
grandfather Pelops, Peloponnefus. Tantalus, his 
great grandfather, reigned firft over Lydia, and 
had, in violation of the mod lacred rights, retained 
in chains a Trojan prince, named Ganymede, 
further, Hercules, defcended from the kings of 
Argos, had more recently put to death Laomedon 
and carried off his daughter Hefione. 

1 he remembrance of thcfe unrevenged injuries 
maintained an hereditary and implacable hatred 
between the houles of Priam and Agamemnon, 
which every day became more inveterate from a 
rivalry of power, the moft terrible and fanguinary 

r f 2 of 



TROJAN WAR. 

of all paffions. Paris, fon of Priam, was the man 
for whom it was refervcd to blow into a flume 
thefe embers of refentment. 


Paris 


came into 


Greece, and repaired to the court of Mend. nr,, 
where the beauty of Helen at traded every ur. 


ICe 


To the advantages of perfon, the Trojan pri: 
united the deli re or plcafmg, and Helen abandoned 
all to follow him. In vain did the AtriCes en¬ 
deavour by gentle means to obtain a iatisf.uti ion 
equal to the offence; Priamconfidcred his fen only 
as the avenger ofthofe wrongs which his hod'e ami 
all Alia had experienced from the Greeks, and 
rejected every propofal for an accommodation. 
At this extraordinary news, tumultuous langtii- 
nary cries and rumours, which announced ap¬ 
proaching war and {laughter, bund forth and 
fpread on every fide. The Grecian nations feem 

like the fore ft agitated by a temped. Kings, v.liole 

* 

power was confined within a fmgle city, and nie- 
parchs, whole empire extended over many nations, 
all equally infpirecl with the fpirit of heroilm re¬ 
pair to Mycenae. 

iC They fvvear to acknowledge Agamemnon c hit i 

of the expedition, to avenge Menelaus, arid to 

rave Ilium to the ground. If fomc at firl! reli 

to join in this confederacy, they are foon 1 

fuaded by the powerful eloquence of the vcncralm’ 

Ivcflor, king of i-’ylos; by the artful language <a 

Idly fits, king of Ithaca; by the examples of A jar, 

el 


{. 1 
It v. 


)rr 



■09 


TROJ \\ WAR. 


of Salamis; Idomeneus, of Crete; Achilles, fon 
of Peleus, who reigned over part of Thefialy; and 
a crowd of youthful warriors, already intoxicated 


• 1 


wit a tneir Hopes 


of fuccefs. After long prepa¬ 
rations, the army, confuting of about one hundred 
thoufand men, afleinbied at the port of Aulis, and 
embarked on board a fleet of near twelve hundred 
veilels far the Troian lliore. 

£C The town of Troy, defended by towers and 

ramparts, was likeviie protected by a numerous 

army, under the command of 1 leeTor, fon of 

Priam; with him were many allied princes, whofe 

troops were joined to thole of Troy. Being alfem-- 

bled on the lliore, they prelent a formidable front 

to the Grecian army, which having repulled them. 

Units itfelf up in a camp, with the greatelt part of 

its vdlels. Again the hoflile armies try their 

* 

llrength, and the doubtful fuccefs of many battles 
proves that the ftege will be protradled to adiftant 
period. With flight built veilels, and very little 
knowledge of the art of navigation, the Greeks had 
not been able to cflablilh a regular communication 
between Greece* and A ha, and nrovifions bc tr ; 

1 C'J 

to fail. 


m 


Pent of ihe fleet was lent to ravage, or 

o J 

* (nv gniiii, in the iilc s, and ik i‘.;hbouring coalts, 
''vhilft pariu s dilncrfed rhcmlelvcs over the conn- 


An- 


11 and carried oil die flocks and harvcfls. 
other motive rendered rhefe detachments indifpen* 
hhly neceOitry. 'J'he town was not invclled, and 



4o 


TROJAN WAR. 


s the troops of Priam fecured it from being taker, 

by furprize, it was refolved to attack the allies of 
that prince, either for the advantage of their Jpoils, 
or to deprive Priam of their affiftancc. Achilles 
carried every where fire and fvvord ; having like a 
raging torrent fwept all away before him, he re¬ 
turned loaded with immenfe booty, which he cif. 
tributed among the army, and with numberiefs 
flaves, which were divided among the generals. 

“ Troy was fituated at the foot of mount Ida, at 
fome diftance from the lea; the tents and vcfltJs 
of the Greeks occupied the fhore ; the fpacr be¬ 
tween was the theatre of their courage and ferocity. 
The Greeks and Trojans, armed with pikes, clubs, 
1 words, and javelins, defended by helmets, bread - 
plates, CLiilhes and Ihields, with thick embattled 
ranks, and headed by their generals, advanced to 
meet each other; the former with loud fhouts, the 
latter with afilcnce Hill more frightful. Immediately 
the chiefs, becoming foldiers, more anxious to 
give great examples than fage advice, precipitate 
themlelves into the greatelt dangers, and aimoft al¬ 
ways leave fo chance the care of a fuccefs they 
neither know how to prepare, nor to improve ; the 
troops canfufeuly beat and crufh each other, like 
the waves driven and repelled by the wind in the 
Tubman (traits. Night parts the combatants; '.he 
city, or the entrenchments, receive the vanquilhcd; 
the victory cods much blood without any dtcilive 

advantage. 



TROJAN' WAR. 


4 + 1 


r!vantage. Next day the pile confumes the fiain, 
an ,j te nrs and funeral games honour their memory, 
yhe truce expires, and the ronflidt is renewed. 
Often in the heat of an engagement a warrior, with 


a loud voice, defies to (ingle combat any who 
dare oppofe him. The troops in (Hence ice them, 
now launch their arrows, or the mafly fragment of 
a broken rock, now hand to hand engage, and try 
by mutual infuks more to provoke each other’s rage. 

f 

Vidtory did not fatiate their fury; if they could not 
disfigure the body of their fallen enemy, and de¬ 
prive it of the rights of burial, they (trove at lead 
to fpoil it of its arms; but in an inftant the troops on 
both fides advance either to ravifh from him his 
prey, or to fecure it to him, and the a<ft ion becomes 
general. This likewile happens when one party 
has too much to fear for the life of its champion, or 
when he himfelf endeavours to prelerve it by 
flight. Circumftances could juftify this lad con¬ 
duct; he who fled without fighting was branded 
with eternal infamy and difgrace, becaule at all 
times we mud know how to face death to be de¬ 
leaving of life; but the man who having expe¬ 
rienced the fuperiority of his adverfary endeavoured 
to lave himfelf, was treated witli indulgence. The 
valour of chcfe times confiding lefs in courage of 
mind than in a reliance on their own drength ■, it 
was no fliame to retreat, when compelled by ne- 
celiity ; but it was a glory to reach the flying loc, 

anil 



442 


tro’a:; war. 


and to the ftrength which prepares victory, < r) 
unite the fpeed which feeures it. 

tc Affociations of arms and fentimente between tv.-o 
warriors,were never fo common at, durir-f? die Tv., 
jan war. Achilles and Patrocius, Ajax and Tcuccr, 
Diomedes and Sthenelus, Idonieneus and Merion, 
and many other heroes worthy to follow their ex¬ 
ample frequently fought fide by fide, and throwing 
thcmfelves into the thicken: of the battle, divided 
equally the dangers and the glory ; at other tiir.es, 
mounted on the fame chariot, one guided the Heeds, 
whilft the other ihielded off that death which he 
dealt round amongft the enemy. The lob of a 
warrior required a fpeedy fatisfaction on the part 
of his companion in arms; blood demanded blood. 
This idea, ftrongly .imprinted on the mind, enable.! 
both the Greeks and Trojans to fupport the nu¬ 
merous calamities which they had to encounter. 
Many times were the former nearly mailers <<f 
the city, as often did the latter force the camp.m 
the Greeks, though pallifadoes, ditches, and m,!r> 
defended it. The armies now begin to 
(liminilhed, and the warriors to dilappear. i »u*ior, 


V 


Sarpedon, Ajax, and even Achilles himkIf 
numbered with the dead. At fight of this revolt., 
the Trojans figh for the reflitution of Helen, .mu 
Greeks after their native foil 5 but both art. 


the 


retrained by ihame, and that unhappy h-chuy 
with which men accuftom thcmfelves to all f |ir 

haniunco 



TROJAN WAR. 


443 


happinefs and repofe. The whole world had fixed 
its eyes on the plains of Troy, on that fpot 
where glory loudly called thofe princes who had 
not from the beginning engaged in the expedition. 
Impatient to fignalize themfelves on this new 
theatre of adtion open to all nations, they came 
fuccefllvely to join their forces to thole of their 
allies, and often periflred in the fir ft: engagement. 

<c At laft, after ten years’ refiftance and-labour, after 
lofing the flower of their youth, and their choiceft 
heroes, the city fell under the efforts of the Greeks; 
a fall fo great, that it ftill ferves for the principal 
epoch in the annals of nations. Its walls, habita¬ 
tions, and temples, levelled with the ground; 
Priam expiring at the foot of his altars; his Tons 
maflacredaround him; Hecuba, his wife, Caflandra, 
his daughter, and many other princefies loaded 
with chains, and dragged like flaves through the 
blood which ran in torrents down the ftxeets, 
amidft a whole people, confumed in the devouring 
flames, or deftroyed by the avenging fword: fuch 
was the cataftrophe of this difmal tragedy. The 
Greeks latiated their vengeance; but this cruel 
latisfadlion was themeafure of their profperity, and 
die beginning of their misfortunes. 

“ Then-return was diltinguifhed by the molt cruel 
di falters. Mneftheus, king of Athens, ended his clays 
1,1 the iflandof'Melos; Ajax, king of the Locrians, 
periflied with his whole fleet; Ulyfles, more unfor¬ 
tunate 





444 


IRujAX WAR. 


tunate, was frequently in danger cf the fame 
during ten years that he traveried the main: other- 
ftill more worthy to be pitied, were rect i\ V 
their families like rtninyers inverted wit! 


1 til!, ; 



which, through long abfence, had been 
and which an unexpected return now rendcicd 
odious. Inftead of the tranfports their prdtiuc 
ought to have excited, they heard nothing around 
them but the horrid cries of ambition, adukcrv, 
and the molt fordid interert : betrayed by their re¬ 
lations and friends, the major part, under the con¬ 
duct of Idomeneus, PhiloCtetes, Diomedes, and 
Teticer, went into unknown countries in lurch of 
more faithful connexions. The houie of Arsrr. 
involved itfelf in the blacked crimes, and tore it, 
entrails with its own hands. Agamemnon found 
his bed and throne polluted by a bale ufurptr, and 
died murdered by his wife Clytemneftra, who Ionic 
time after fell by the hand of her own Ion On lies. 
Thefe horrors, at that time fpread overall Grtcre, 
and ftijl reprefented on the Athenian flage, fliould 
be a warning to both monarchs and people, and 
teach them to dread even victory itlclf. That oi 
the Greeks was as fatal to themfclves as to the 
trojans; weakened by their exertions anti then 
fuccefies, they could no longer refill their intdlinf 
divifions, and accuJlomcd themfelvcs to that tit - 
ilmCtive idea, tiiat war is as necertary to Hales as 

peace. In a few generations, the great'r part <>l 

One 



TROJAN WAR, 


44 5 

thefe fovereign houfes, which had dcftroyed that 
of Priam, fell, and were buried in oblivion, and 
within eighty years after the demolition of Troy, 
part of the Peloponnefus paffed into the hands of 
the Heraclides, or defcendants of Hercules.” 

The year of the capture of Troy forms a very 
elTential epoch for the knowledge of thofe events 
which happened in the times called Fabulous. 
Ancient authors differ much in their manner of 
lixing it. The illuftrious Sir Ifaac Newton places 
it about nine hundred and leven years before the 
Chriftian era. Eratofthenes, quoted by Eulcbius, 
and Apollodorus, quoted by Clement of Alex¬ 
andria, fay that this city was taken 11S1 years 
before the ChriUian era, 450 years before the 
foundation ot Rome, and about 400 years before 
rhc fir ft Olympiad, the laft year of the reign of 
Mneftheus, king of Athens, and at the time when 
Fluid was judge of Ifrael. This latter is the 
opinion moft generally adopted. Any thinr that 

y i - O 

vc could add to the extract from the travels of 
Anacnarfis would be ufelefs, and extend this work 
beyond its deftined limits. We have carefully 
traced the principal events down to that epoch, 
and we fit all undoubtedly be excufed if we abridge 
our labours, and are even filent, when for informa- 
tion wc refer our readers to the finifhed produc- 
tions of Homer, Virgil, and Fenelon. 




4+6 


ANTIQUITY OF TEMPLES. 


OF THE.ANTIQUITY 


OF TEMPLES. 


That temples are of great antiouitv is 
undoubted, but the precife period when they were 
firft erefted is not known. Idolatry had its vile 
in Egypt and Phoenicia a fhort time after the 
deluge ; confequently, it is in thefe two countries 
we rauft feek for whatever concerns religious 

o 

worfhip and the ufe of temples. The fyftem of 
Idolatry was not eltablifhed at once, and cere 
monies were only introduced by degrees. A rude 
uncivilised worfhip was firft paid to their falic di¬ 
vinities j altars offtone or turf in an open field wore 
the only preparations for their facrifices. Places 
were not enclofed, chapels nor temples built till 
fome time after. The Egyptians themieives appear 
to have had none in the time of Moles. The 
filence he obferves on this fubjeft, may be con- 
fidered as a certain proof that they had none. It 
is reafonable to believe, that the Tabernacle credited 
by that legiflator in the Defart (which may be con- 
fidered as a portable temple) was the firft known, 

and ferved as a model for all others. 

This temple borne by the Ifraelites in fight ol 
the nations near which they palled, might have 
given them the firfl: idea of building one themfelves. 
The temple of Dagon, god of the Philiftines, 


mentioned in Scripture, was probably an 


imitation 

of 


1 



AKTIQLTI'Y OF TEMPLES. 


HI 


of the tabernacle, and the place which contained 
it: a proof of this is, that this temple had lecret 
places called Adyta, which correfponded to the 

^ /-t *¥ ' i • 


fanZlam j<- 




Evep/thing concurs to prove 


in 


f — 

that the cuftom of building temples was by the 
Egyptians propagated among other nations. Lu¬ 
cian fays, that Afiyria, Phoenicia, Syria, and other 
neighbouring nations, received this cuflom front 
the Egyptians. From Egypt and Phoenicia it 
found its way into Greece, and from Greece to 
Rome. This opinion is founded upon that of 
Herodotus, and upon the moft authcntick monu¬ 
ments of antiquity. Deucalion firft built temples 
in Greece, and Janus at Rome. 

The temples of the ancients were divided into 
different parts, which it is of fervice to know 
order to underftand the deferiptions which they 
give of them. The firft was the veftibule or porch, 

font or vclie 1 which contained th 
water employed by the pricf! in purifying or ex¬ 
piating thofe who wiihed to enter into the temples. 

I'he iecond part was the aide. 

1 he third was the Jaered nlace to which the 
laity were not to be admitted. 

Laflly, the fourth was v, hat they called the bark, 
temple, this was not common to all temples ; but 
; dl had porticoes and llcps to afceivl to them. The 
Ulterior of tliefe temples was always ornamented. 
They contained the flatties or gods, which were 


where was the 






ANTIQUITY OF TEMPI.F.$. 


C ClOUS 


44S 

* 

frequently of gold, ivory, ebony, or lome pr 
matter. Statues of illuftrious men were likew ill- 
placed there. Here were alfo gildings, paintings, 
‘ and particularly what were called ex veto, Inch 
prows of veffels when they had efcaped from fliip- 
wreck; arms taken from the enemy, troplucr, 
fhields, tripods, See. They were depofited in thcl'e 
temples, which on feaft days were likewife orna¬ 
mented with branches of olive, laurels and iv. 

4 

At Rome, when a temple was to be built, tin: 
aurufpices or foothfayers were appointed to ebook 
thefpot; this was then purified and encompali ;, ,l 
with ribbons and crowns. The vellab., at •. .vied 
by young girls and boys, walked die alioted ipuCf 
with pure water, the pontiff cleanfed it by a loicirm 
facrifice, and afterwards laid his hands up.-.n the 
firft done of the foundation, which war bound 
round with a ribbon. After thcl’e ceremonies, tin- 
people took this {tone, and threw it into :.ae trench 
dug for the foundation, together with ibme pieces 
of metal which had never palled the crucible. 
When the building was completed it was conle- 
crated with the greatefl ceremony. 

<£ Nothing could exceed the veneration in which 

o 

^ ■ 

the ancients lit Id their temples. Arrian lays, it was 
forbid to fpitormake life of the handkerchief in them. 
Sometimes the votaries alcendcd to them on their 
knees.Theywere an afylum fordebtorsand criminals. 

In time ofanypublick calamity the women proll rated 


them lei ves 



OK THE ANTIQUITY OF TEMPLES. 


449 


themfelves in that part called the facred place, 
and fwept it with their hair. However fometimes 
when prayers appeared inlufficient to check the 
fcourge, the people became furious, loft all re¬ 
in efts for and even profaned the temples. 

We lhall not give a defeription of the temples of 
Egypt. After that ofBelus the moft celebrated 
were that of Jupiter at Thebes or Diofpolis, that 
of Andera, that of Proteus at Memphis, and that 
of Minerva at Sais. The works of the Egyptians 
were truly magnificent. They admired cololilil 
flatues, and in their buildings employed only Hum s 
of an enormous fr/.e, though it was neceliury to 
fetch them from the quarries of Elephantinum, 
which was a voyage of twenty days from Sais. As 
an inftance of this, we may mention the famous 
chapel of Amahs built in upper Egypt, which lie 
tranfportedto Sais with prodigious pains and labour, 
to place it in the temple of Minerva. 

“ What I moft admire of all the works of Amahs, 


(fays Elerodotus) is the temple built of a fingic 
tlone, which two thou land pilots and feamcn were 
three years in tiv.nfplanting from Elephantinum to 
Sais. This temple, or rather chapel, was twenty- 
one cubits in front, fourteen deep, and eight high .' 1 
It Hill exifts, and its dimenfions, according to Mr. de 
Savari in his letters upon Egypt, arc confidtrably 
more extenlive than Hated by Herodotus. The 


prelent idea we entertain of the arts and mechanic:-;. 



po\. e rs 



TEMPLE OF BELUS. 


45 ° 

powers (lands confounded before fuc’n (lupendoio 
works, and we fhould treat them as fables, did nor 
the fight of thofe eoloflal Hatties which have fo: 
fo many ages braved the hand of dcilroying time, 
attefl the truth of their exigence. This chapel 
however was not placed in die temple of Miner v:i. 
We are allured by Herodotus, that the wife Amafis 
regretted having engaged in fo toilfome an under¬ 
taking, and caufed it to be left at the gate «[ the 
temple, becaufe one of the worltmen pnik.ai 
before his eyes. A fine lefibn of humanity. b\: 
learned too late. 


TEMPLE OF BLITS, 


1 his, the moll ancient of pagan tem¬ 
ples, was likewife die moll lingular in its com 
iirudtion. 


Joi 


building of it to Belus ; but if this Beius b 


J »- i • 
1 


Hi 


lame as Nimrod, (which is extremely pro.). !,1( >; 
he appears Ids to have built a temple, 1 * •' { J 
tower to (hield himfclf and liis people ir<>m a w 
cond doluo'C. 1'hc manner in which the Ainu;-.it) 
put a Hop to that mad defign is very well 1 m.v.u. 
This famous edifice, called the Tower of “.dub 
formed in its bale a lijuare, ear h fide of whi< h ■ on 
t, lining the lengthol a Hadium (a hundred am -1 u 111 1 ' 

iatii"in 1 ') 



TEMPLE OF DIANA. 


451 


fathoms) gave a circumference of more than half 
a mile. The whole work was comnofed of eight 
towers, built upon each other, and regularly 
dimhulhed towards the top. 

Some authors, deceived by the Latin verfion of 
Herodotus, pretend that each of thefe towers was 
a ftadium in height, which would have made the 
elevation of the whole a full mile and upwards. 
But the Greek text makes no mention of this 


prodigious height; and Strabo, who has likewife 
given a defeription of this temple, makes it no 
more than a ftadium in height, and the fame on 
each fide. This temple, fo remarkable for its 


conftruction and its riches, was confecrated to the 


memory of Belus. Egypt p o fie lie d other tem¬ 
ples more ancient, but they were erefled in ho¬ 
nour of divinities. Herodotus, among others, 
mentions that of Vulcan, built by Menes, who 
was the firft that reigned over Egypt, after the 
time when the Egyptians pretended they had no 

fovereigns but the gods. 


TKM1TT OF DIANA Ad' EPHESUS. 


I ms temple, one of the Even wonders 
of the world, was fevcral ages in arriving at its 
greateft degree of perfeftion. Pliny relates, that 
•dl Afia contributed to the building of it during 


r. c 2 


two 



/ r <y 


TEMPLE OF DIAMA. 


two hundred and twenty years, and that two centu¬ 
ries more were neceflary to adorn and embellifh it. 

Pindar, in one of his odes, fays, that it was built 
by the Amazons in their expedition againft the 
Athenians under Thefeus; but Pauianias proves 
that this poet was in an error, and tells us, that 
long before the period of that event, thelc very 
Amazons, being fir ft defeated by Bacchus, and 
afterwards by I Iercules, took refuge at Ephefus ia 
the temple of Diana; and that they made it their 
afylum, when they abandoned the banks of the 
Thermodon. We {hall give the dcfcription of 
riiis celebrated temple as we find it recorded in 
Pliny. In hopes of fecuring it from earthquakes, 
it was built on a marfhy place, but to give fir ni¬ 
ne fs and liability to an edifice lb confuierabic, 

* 

and to confoiiclate the ground rendered looie by 
the ftagnated water, they employed pulverized 
charcoal, over which they extended the (lens m 
{keep furnifiied with the wool. 

'Phis temple was four hundred and twenty-ine 
feet long, and two hundred broad. One luuuln c 
and twenty-feven columns, which fupported uie 
luperfirudlure, were prefents from as many kiniy- 
and were each fixty feet high. Six and thirty <n 
theft columns were carved ; one in particular 17 

the celebrated Scopas. 

Cherfiphron was the firft architect of this h |! 

prifing temple ; the fuperb architraves which he 

employ'd 



TEMPLE OK JUPITER OLYMPUS. 


453 

employed were particularly fubjedts of admira¬ 
tion ; and to whatever perfe&ion the mechanic 
arts may have been brought in the prefent day, 
it is extremely doubtful, whether they could fuc- 
cecd in railing to fuch a height mafies of fo enor¬ 
mous a weight. CTerfiphron and his fon could 
not finifh this magn-ficent work; they were 
lucceeded by other architects, who followed their 
plan, and it was not completely finifhed till 
after the lapfc of two hundred and twenty years. 
All the monarchs and nations of Afia vied with 
each other in enriching this temple. It was burnt 
by Erodratus, as we have already mentioned un¬ 
der the article of Diana. 


TEMPLE OF JUPITER OLYMPUS. 


HP 


-i ms ter..pie, and particularly the ftatuc 
of Jupiter, the mailer-piece of the immortal Phi¬ 
dias, was built with the Ipoils taken by the TElians 
from tiie Pifans and their allies, when they cap¬ 
tured and lacked the city ol Pifa. Libo, a na¬ 
tive of the country, was the architect of this 
temple. It was of the Doric order, and fur- 
rounded with pillars. The Hones employed in 
building it were remarkable for their Angularity 
and beauty j they were drawn from the country 
itlclf. The height of this temple, from the ground 


« o 3 







TEMPLE OF APOLLO. 


; ‘ t t> 
1 • . . 


to the roof, was fixty-eight feet, the Unp/h w, ; 
two hundred and thirty, and the breadrh tiimrv- 
five. The tiles which covered it were of 
marble. 

Antiquity poffeffed nothing more lu-'fi 

<■ 

more perfectly finifhed, than the throi.e 
tue of Jupiter Olympus. Both were i : • 
of gold and ivory. The illuflrious 
mod celebrated of feuiptorr, either 
modern, was the artifr, and they we te¬ 
as the fined effort of trenius. 


J 

• .1 


l: 


i i l % 

* > i L * i A 


' * • * ‘' i i' \ ■: 


( 

v i It 


I ^ , 


ill* 


)' 


d 


from the pavement to the vault, and lln:e'!. uuv 
beholder with admiration and wonder. 

To deferibe all the riches this temple contained, 
or all the beauties it poffefled, would be impoiiibk 

The pavement was of the mod beautiful mar¬ 
ble, and the interior was adorned with an infinite 
number of flatues. 

Kings, people, and the mod celebrated artill:, 
were all equally eager to enrich it with loir, 
monument of their piety, their magnificence, 
their talents. 


r 


(L 


THE TEMPLE OP APOLLO AT !>I T.l'.H 


HP 


JL his temple was not equal to that oi 
Jupiter Olympus in point of beauty and dinun- 
lions, but the incredible number of prelciita a i.’ 





TEMPLE OF APOLLO’. 



to it from all parts rendered it much richer. None 
of its ornaments however could be compared 
with the throne and ftatue of Jupiter Olym¬ 
pus. A cavern whence proceeded exhalations 
which occafioned a fort of intoxication to thofe 
who approached it, as we have before men¬ 
tioned, gave birth to the Oracle of Delphos. 
They began by covering this cavern with branches 


of laurel ; this was fucceeded by a chapel, and 
not long after they built a temple of copper, in 
imitation, no doubt, of the brazen chamber of 
Acrifms, in which he confined his daughter Da- 
nae. This temple being fwallowed up by an 
earthquake, was replaced by another edifice from 
the plan and under the direction of Agamedes and 
Trophonius. This new temple was confumed by 
fire, in the fir ft year of the fifty-eighth Olympiad, 
and was followed by another, which was the laft. 
This iubfifted in the time of Paufanias, and was 
confiderably luperior to the preceding, having 
been built by the Amphiftyons, with the gifts 
and contributions of the people exprefsly appro¬ 
priated to that purpofe. 

To form an idea of the riches it may be fup- 
P'ded to have amafTed, we mull remark, that by 
c onfulting the Oracle, men hoped to obtain a 
knowledge of die future, and no anfwcr could be 
procured, unlefs they had fir ft made feme con- 
lklcrable prefent to adorn the temple. We may 

o o 4 lorm 



PANTHEON OF ROME. 


456 

form fome eftimate of the number of thefe offer¬ 
ings, when we refleft on the natural reftlefihcfs 
of man, and the earned: defire he has to be 
informed of the lot which awaits him. 

Every motive to the conftrudtion of the temple 
of Jupiter'Olympus was grand. The edifice was 
intended to convey an idea of the divine majeliv, 
and for that purpofe the fublimeft efforts of art 
were employed. Phidias having in fome mea- 
fure determined its tafte and character, no works 
could be placed near his, but what in fome decree 
approached them. It is thus that the example of 
one great man alone is frequently Efficient to en¬ 
lighten, and induce the imitation of his age. 

In the temple of Delphos every kind ofpallion, 
of curiofity, of anxiety, was admitted to prelent its 
offerings; as nothing was refufed, the number mull 
have been enormous; but almoft all mufl have 
been marked with that minute and detached damp 
which is infcparable from perfonal intereft and 
little minds. 


PANTHEON OF ROME. 


Rome and Italy were 
temples than Greece; many 
for their magnificence or fing 


not Jefs abundant m 
of them remarkable 

ularity. One of the 



PAN’T'lrON’ OF romf.. 


457 


moft beautiful was that of Jupiter in the Capitol; 
but the moft fuperb, and moft fubftantially built 
was the Pantheon, which Hill exifts, and in good 
preiervation, under the name of the Church of 
All Saints, to whom it is now confecrated, as in 
the time of Paganifm it was, to All the Gods. 

The general opinion is, that it was ere died by 
the defire and at the expence of Agrippa, fon in 
law to Auguftus. Some authors, however, think 
it more ancient, and fay, that Agrippa only had 
it repaired, and added that portico which ftill con- 
ftitures its greateft ornament. An opening in the 
middle of the roof, very ingenioufly contrived, 
admits light into the interior of the temple. The 
form of the pantheon is round; the architect 
appears to have wifhed to give it the refemblance 
of the globe; a form which, for the fame reafon, 
was given to feveral ancient temples. The por¬ 
tico, ftill more furprifing than the temple itfelf, 
is compofed of fixteen pillars of marble, each 
formed from a fingle block. They are thirty— 
feven feet Jiigh, and five feet in diameter. Eight 
columns adorn the front of the portico, and as 
many more lupport its depth. In every part 
the Corinthian order is obferved. In the time of 
pope Eugenius was found near this edifice part 
of a head of bronze, reprelenting Agrippa. At 
the fame time was found the foot of a horfe and 
part of a wheel, of the fame metal. This difeo- 

very 



PANTHEON OF ROME. 


Ft ICO 


very renders it probable that formerly this po 
fuppnrted the ftatue of Agrippa, placed on a cha¬ 
riot with four horfes. The body of the cciificc* 
•which ftill exifts entire, is built upon fucli folid 
foundations that it has remained hitherto unfhaken. 
A manufcript of a celebrated Roman 
afTerts, that the foundation extends 
beyond the building;, and fcems to form one fade 
mafs of (tone. The ftatues and riches whu h f>r- 
merly adorned it are no longer feen. The emperor 
Conflantius the third took away th.e plates of rule 
bronze which covered the whole roof, and pope 
Urban the eighth employed the beams of die fame 


arcmtec: 


confident! vr 


metal which were formerly there, in making die 
altar of St. Peter’s at Rome, and the large pieces 
of artillery which belong to the caftle of Sc. An- 
gelo. 'i’he ftatues of the gods which ocai] ied 
the niches have been either flolen or concealed 
under ground. 

o 

When the celebrated Michael Angelo had 
carefully ftudieu i veiv part of the Pantheon, Ins 

% #• • t | # 1 ^ * 

genius burnt with indignation to fee this cmlne 


4 .; 


O 


m:\irclal as the preuteft effort of arrhirethire. 
1 !e laid ro thole who were admiring I 
raile upon four pillars this temple that io nimh 
excites vmir aflunifhi'ncnt ; and it was then lu* 

w 

eorumved th.e: plan of the famous Cupola of ht. 

P 


/>o >• ♦* • 

* i C i ot 


K •me. 


Jt is laid, that this extra ordinal v 

man, cfjuallv famous as a painter, an hm P :1IK - 

f. 



PAXTIIF.OM OF ROME. 


4,59 


fculptor, made a will, in which he declared that 
he had only given to the pillars ftrength dif¬ 
fident to fupport the Cupola, and that if ever 
they diminifhcd the drength of thefe pillars, they 
would endanger the building. The Chevalier 
Bernini, who long after afpired to equal Michaei 
Angelo, regarded this will as a vain boafl, and 
rafhly abufing the credit which he had acquired 
by fome of his performances, hollowed (lairs in 
thefe pillars v. Inch were extremely narrow and very 
ufeiefs. It is to this prefumptuous experiment 
that are attributed the great chinks, which are at 
prefent perceived in the roof of the cupola, 
which it has been found neceffary to Ilrcngthen 
with immcnfe bars of iron; anil there is every 
reafon to fear, that the calculation of that great 
artifL was but too true. This proves how danger¬ 
ous it is to place any confidence in the prefump¬ 
tuous promifes of a rival. After the church of 
St. Peter’s at Rome, the cathedral of St. Paul’s at 
London is unqueftionably one of the fined monu¬ 
ments in the whole world. 

Such are the mod celebrated temples of which 

1 MV 

we have any account. The temple, or rather tow¬ 
er, of Belus, is unquedionably the mod remarkable 
for its antiquity, magnificence and fingulariry. It 
exifled before the temple of the Egyptian Vulcan, 
of which Herodotus in his ddcription fays, that it 
was the work of a great number of kings, and of 


huh importance, that fora prince to have con- 

Unified 



OH AC IT. !\ 


ftrudled a fingle portico in the courfc of a ] 
reign, was coniidcrcd as a great glory. 


o n 


OF ORACLES. 



andale has written a very learned 
treatife, in which he endeavours to prove, that 
oracles had no other origin than the artifice of 
priefts. Mr. de Fonteneile, with his ufual pene¬ 
tration, amenity and elegance, has divefted this 
treatife of whatever was foreign to the fubjed, or 
too fcientific, and has adapted it to the capacity 
of every defeription of readers. The fyilem of 
Vandale, and the only origin he has aferibed to 
oracles, being in every refpedt contrary to the c-lla- 


blifhed opinion of the church, father Balthus, a 
Jefuit, wrote a fecond treatife, not lefs learned 
than that of Vandale, in which (without denying 
the impofition of the prielts, which was frequently 
intermixed with the oracles) he proves in the 
deareft and inoft convincing manner the inter- 
vention of dromons in thefe predictions which the 
mod determined incredulity can never attribute to 
artifice alone. Without profoundly inveltigaiing 
the prctenfions of thefe two opinions, there an: 
many reafons which induce us to rejeett the iyAcnt 

of Vandale. 

Could oracles, had they been founded oniy on 
knavery and artifice, luve maintained for fo long 



OKACl.ti. 


461 

a time their credit and reputation ? Impofturc muft 
Inevitably be difcovered at laft; it is impoflible 
falfchood fhould fupport itfelf tor ever; and 
though fome credulous and weak individuals may 
for a time be deceived, yet whole nations cannot, 
for ages together, be the dupes ot fraud. The 
power of monarchs, the ciiriolirv of the rich, want 
of dilcretion, the treachery of a pridl, the jcaloufV 

* J 

which nuift naturally have ft lb filled between thofe 

oracles which were coniulted, and thole which 

feemed neglected, the rigour of feme anfwers, the 

horrid facrifices which were lometiir.es enjoined, 

were certainly lufTicicnr, fooner or later, to lead 

to a difeoverv ot the truth. What then is this 

* 

hitherto unknown combination which lupports 
itfelf in oppolitiou to leK-intcreft, and unites io 
many inipollors in the religious observance of a 
ii-crct? Thus much is fufheient to lnow our read¬ 
ers, that a wife man may believe in the truth of 
lome oracles, without bein'* obliged oiuhat account 

J f 1 1 ' 


tn renounce the ufe of Lis rrai*bn. V\ V ib.di content, 
ourlclves withthefe ieiio.ooub., .kJ ni.nl endeavour 
to trace out which vet re t.V mdoi thc.V oracles. 

Themis, Jupucr and .\]3 -> 1 «* a a!c.•::<* Lumeriy 
rendered oracles; but n.r-. ru.mi, ainu-it nil the 
;.;ods, and a great Jier»:r , ou; iiin.! this 

privilege. All dn\ •. wave not •- juaiiy proper for 
conliiltmg oracles. At Delpho-j the pi idle is oh 
Apollo only aniwered one m jr/Jii ui the year, in 

the 



4 6 


)2 


ORACI.E OF DO DON'A 


1 


il 


t * -x. 

Ui 1 




the name of that god; this was afterwards 
and an 1 Vers were only returned one day in car' 
month. Neither were thefe oracles all rend; ro. 
in the fame manner. Sometimes the god him!'", 
gave his refponfes : in forne places thefe aniv.r: 
were received during deep, which fleep was pre¬ 
pared by myfterious ceremonies: in others, lw 
were caff, as at Pramefe, in Italy. Frequenri 
to be made worthy of the oracle, 


s, 11'/'': 

fees and expiations Mere necefiary; and whrr 
Alexander went into I.ybi.t, to confult Jupitei 
Ammon, the pried, immediately on ieeing him, 
faluted him fon of Jupiter, to obtain which title 
was the only objed of his journey. 

The impofibility of giving the hi [lory of wid: 
difind oracle, determines us only to Jpeak of tame 
which were mof ancient and nioft celebrated. 


ORACLE OF DODONA. 


according to the account of 1 leiodoruw 
the oracle of Dodona, the mof ancient in Greece, 
and that of Jupiter Ammon in Lybia, had the lame 
ori'dn, and both owed their ef ablifhment to the 

l. ") J 

K;_rypiians. Thus fact, which is recorded in hiflory* 
we lhall explain. 

Two doves tool; their flirhc from the cny <>i 

«» j 


Thebes, in Egypt. 


One went into labia, ik 


on.'.' 



ORACLE OF DODOMA- 


4 


°3 


ocher alighted in the forelt of Dodona, fituated in 
Chaonia, a province of Epirus. The former 
announced to the inhabitants, that the great Jupiter 
intended to eftablifh an oracle in their country: 
this prodigy at firft excited their aftoniftiment, but 
a number of the credulous loon prefented them- 
lclves to conlult. Ihefe two doves, lays Scrvius, 
were a- prelent from Jupiter to his daughter 
Thebe; they had both the gift of fpeech. Hero¬ 
dotus has examined into the origin of this fiction, 
lie fays, that two prieftelTcs of Thebes were carried 
off by.Phcenician merchants; and that one of them 
was taken into Greece. Chance, or home other 
caufe, led her to take up her refidence in the fore ft 
of Dodona, where men at that time went to colletT 
acorns, the food of the ancient Greeks. At the 
foot of an oak fhe built a little chapel to the ho • 


J 




prieftefs lire had been at 


fhebes. Herodotus adds, that they gave the 

O 

name of Peleia to this woman, winch figniiics 

o 

dove. At firfl', nobody underftood her language, 
and when at lad they did comprehend her, it was 
pretended that the dove, or Pcleia, had lpoken. 
Such was the origin of the famous oracle of Do 
dona. This account of I ierodotus is confirmed 
by Scrvius, who relates, that in the fore ft of Do- 
cona was a fountain which flowed with gentle mur 


llH!rs j at the foot ol an oak ; thele murmurs a wo 
' n:ln interpreted, and bv them pave aiu'wer; to 



464 


ORACLE OF AMMON’. 


thofe who came to confult her. In the courfe of 
time, more artifice was employed in rendering this 
oracle. Some copper cauldrons were fufpendaj 
near a ftatue of the fame metal, which was like- 
wife fufpended, and held a whip in its hand. 
When this figure was lhakcn by the wind, it (b uck 
the cauldron which was neareft to it, and put it in 
motion ; all the others were then likewiie agitated, 

V*/ 

and rendered a found which lafted fome time, 
from this noife it was pretended to form pre¬ 
dictions of futurity. W idling ftill more to increafe 
the credit of the oracle, interpreters were concealed 
in hollow oaks, and it was pretended that the oaks 
of the foreil of Podona like wife rendered oracles, 
The mall of the hi ip Argo, which the Argonaut 1 
confulted, was taken from this forelt. 


OKACLK OK AMMON. 


T he J'econtl prieftefs, carried oft' by tlic 
Phoenicians, was taken into Lybia. This foreigner 
at fir ft occafioned furprife ; the people wifired to in¬ 
terrogate her but did not underftand her language, 
on feeing her praClifc l'ome of the ceremonies of her 
ancient office, they fuppofed her to be fomething 
divine j and probably Jbc knew how to avail her 
felf of the homage which was paid her. filer an- 
fwers foon pafled for oracles, and in a fhort time 

h<" 



ORACLE OF AMMON. 


465 

[»cf reputation becariie fo great that fhe was con¬ 
futed by people from all parts, notwithftanding 
the dangers of fo painful a journey. The fcorch- 
ing fands of Lybia were no longer an obftacle 
powerful enough to reft rain the aftive, reftlels cu- 
riofity of man, to know his future lot. This wo¬ 
man was fucceeded by priefts, who undertook the 

charge of rendering oracles. They reprefented 

* 

Jupiter Amnion with the head a ram, having 
horns. Blighty priefts of this divim.v carried his 
itatue upon their fhoulders in a fhip gilt with 
gold; they took no certain road, but pretended 
that they went as impelled by tire god. A numer¬ 
ous troop of young girls and matrons accompanied 
rhele priefts, finging hymns in honour of Jupiter. 
The fliip was adorned with a great number of filver 
dilhes, fufpended on each fide. The priefts an¬ 
nounced the refponfes of their Ammon, from lbme 
movement or ftgn of the ftatue. Thefe particulars 
have been tranimitted to us by Quintus Curtius 
and Diodorus Siculus. The priefts of this god 
lometimes flrowed themfelves luperlor to all cor¬ 
ruption. Lyfander, wifhing to effeft a change in 
the order of fucceflion to the throne of Sparta, 
tried every method of corruption to obtain an 

anfwer favourable to his defigns, but in vain. The 

* • 

priefts fent a folemn embaffy to Sparta, and pre¬ 
ferred a public accufation againft him. Yet thefe 
ft me priefts in fome manner anticipated the vanity 

11 n of 



ORACLE OF DELPHOS. 


46G 

of Alexander, by faluting him fon of Jupiter, im¬ 
mediately on his appearing; but Alexander was 
already at the height of his glory, and every thin^ 
yielded to his power. 


ORACLE OF DELPHOS. 


TThe oracle of Delphos was not the mofl 
ancient in Greece, but it was the mo ft celebrated, 
and that which continued longeft. The time or 
its firft eftablifhment is unknown, which is a poT 
of its great antiquity. We have already, under 
the article Diana, mentioned the manner in which 
it was originally difeovered. Apollo was not the 
firft that was confulted there; Adlchylus in hir; tra¬ 
gedy of the Eumenides, fays, that firft Terra, or 
the Earth, rendered oracles there, then Themis, 
and afterwards Phoebe, daughter of Terra and 
mother to Latona. This latter transferred hci 


rights to her grandl'on Apollo, and from that time 
the oracle only gave anfwers in Ins name. When 
this oracle was firft difeovered, all without diftinc- 
tion might be infpired. 'The vapour of the cavern 
operated alike on all who inhaled it; but levers! 
of thele enthufiafts having, in the excels of their 
frenzy, precipitated thcmfelves headlong into the 
chafm, means were fought to remedy this accident 
which happened not unfrequcntly. Over the open¬ 
ing then they placed a machine which they called 

2 a tripod, 



ORACLE OF DELPHOS. 


467 

3 tripod, becaufe it was fupported by three bars 
placed upon the rock. In this, which may be called 
a fpecies of chair, a woman placed herfelf and re¬ 
ceived the exhalations without any rifle. This 
prieftefs was called Pythia, from the ferpent Py¬ 
thon, (lain by Apollo. Young virgins, chofeu 
with the greateft precaution, excrcifed this office. 
They were generally taken from fome poor family, 
they muft have lived free from luxury, or an at¬ 
tachment to finery. The greacelt fimplicity and 
ignorance even of every thing, were the titles ge¬ 
nerally preferred in afpiring to this dignity. It 
was Efficient that the Pythia could repeat what was 
diftated to her by the god. The cuftom of chufing 
young virgins continued long in pradiice. It was 
abolifhed in the following manner: The young 
Echecrates, by birth a Theflalian, fmitten with the 
charms of the Pythia carried her off. The people 
ofDelphos, to prevent a like attempt, order; d by 
an exprefs law, that for the future none but wo¬ 
men upwards of fifty years of age fhould execute 
this office. 

At firft the number of thefe prieftefles was con¬ 
fined to one, but afterwards it was increafed to 
three. Oracles, as we have already laid, were not 
rendered every day. In general, Apollo only in- 
fpired the Pythia in the month Bufion, which was 
in the beginning of fpring. During the reft of 
the year lhe was forbid, on pain of death, to confult 

h a 2 the 



ORACLE OF DELPHOS. 


46 B 


the deity. Alexander, before he entered on his 
Afiatic. expedition, came to Delphos during 
of thefe intervals of filence. He defircd 


one 


the Pythia to afcend the tripod, which fhe 
refufed, alledging as an excufe, the law by which 
fhe was prevented. Enraged to find himfclf de¬ 
tained by fuch an obftacle a3 this, he took the 
prieftefs from her cell by force, and led her to the 
fandtuary, when fhe thought proper to pronounce 
thefe words: “ My fon, thou art invincible. 1 ' 
Alexander immediately cried out, that he wifhcil 
for no other oracle, and fet out for the conqueii 
of the world. Before the oracle was confultd. 
feveral facrifices were performed, and always with 
an air of the greateft myftery; numberlels pre¬ 
cautions were likewife taken in chufing the victim, 
impeding the entrails, and drawing prelages from 
them. The prieftefs prepared herfelf by a fall of 
three days. Before fhe afeended the tripod fhe 
ftrft bathed herlelf in the fountain of Caftalia, and 
then chewed fome leaves of laurel which were ga¬ 
thered near this fountain. Thefe ceremonies 
finifhedy Apollo himfclf gave notice of his arrival 
in the temple, by a ftiock wliich made the build- 

tremble to its foundation. The pridl ■ 
(who were likewife called prophets) then took the 
Pythia, led her to the lanftuary and placed her 
upon the tripod. As foon as Ilic began to be 
agitated by the divine vapour, her hair ftood erdb 


hi g 


o 


her 



ORACLE OF BELPHOS. 469 

her look became wild, foam flowed from her 
mouth, and a violent tremor t feized her whole 
body. In this condition Ihe made feveral efforts 
to efcape from the prophets who detained her by 
force. Her cries and frightful yells made the 
temple refound, and filled all prcfent with an awful 
terror. At laft, enable longer to refill, fhe yielded 
to the impulfe of the god, and uttered at intervals 
fome broken fentences, which the prophets 
carefully collected, arranged and formed into 
verfes, giving them a connection which they 
had not in the mouth of the prieftefs. As foon 
as the oracle was pronounced, the Py.thia was 
taken from the tripod and conducted to her cell, 
where the remained, fometim.es feveral days, be¬ 
fore fhe recovered from the fatigue. Sudden 
death was frequently the reward, or punilhment, of 
her enthufiafm. The Pythia was only the inflru- 
ment employed by the prielts to difcover the de¬ 
terminations of Apollo. Every other care devolv¬ 
ed on themfelves. It was they who placed her in 
a pofition to receive the vapour exhaling from the 
chafin over which the tripod flood. They col¬ 
lected her expreffions and gave them to the poets 
(another fort of minifters) who formed them into 
verfe. Thcfe verfes were frequently harlh, badly 
made, and always oblcurc, which gave occafion to 
the witty remark, that Apollo, for a chief of the 
Mules, made very bad verfes. Sometimes the 

11 a 3 Pythia 



ORACLE OF TROPHONIUS. 


Pythia herfelf gave her anfwers in verfe; one in 
particular named Phemonoe. But they afterwards 
were contented to fpeak in profe, and Plutarch 
mentions this as one reafon of the decline of 
oracles. 


ORACLE OF TROPHONIUS. 

Though Trophonius v/as only a hero, 
and even according to fome authors a robber, he 
had a very famous oracle in Bceotia. Paufanias, 
who went through all the ceremonies which were 
required preparatory to confulting this oracle, 
gives no account of the life of Trophonius; he 
only fays, cc That the earth having opened under his 
feet, he was fwallowed up in the place which is ftill 
called the grave of Agamedes, and is ftill to be 
feen in a facred wood of Lebadia with a pillar 
crefted over it. Lebadia, fays Paufanias, is one 
of the fined cities of Greece. Near it is a facred 
wood, in which Hand the temple and flatue of 
Trophonius; both the work of Praxiteles. When 
any come to confult this oracle, before they de- 
fcend into the cavern where the refponfes are 
given, it is neceffary to pafs fome days in a cha¬ 
pel dedicated to the good Genius and to Fortune. 
This time is employed in purifying theinfelves. 
They are permitted to v a fir no where but in the 
cold waters of the river Hcrcinus. 


“ They 



ORACLE OF TROPHONIUS. 


47 1 


« They then facrifice to Trophonius, to his fa¬ 
mily, to king Jupiter, to Saturn, and to Ceres 
Europa, nurfe of Trophonius. After thefe pre¬ 
parations, the ftatue of Trophonius is fhewn to 
them, they are decked with facred fillets, and 
then conducted to the Oracle. They afeend 
a mountain, on the fummit of which is an enclo- 
fure formed with white ftones, having within it 
obelifks of brafs. In this enclofure is a cavern 
hewn by the art of man, having the form of an 
oven, and here is a narrow hole into which they 
(lowly defeend by means of fmall ladders. They 
now arrive at a fecond cavern, when they are 

m 

obliged to lie flat on the ground, holding in each 
hand a compofition of honey, which it is necef- 
fary to carry , in this pofition their feet are palled 
into the fecond cavern, and they are immediately 
hurried along with great violence and precipita¬ 
tion. It w r as there they received the anfwer of 
the oracle, but not all in the fame manner $ fome 
heard, and others faw. They left this cave in 
the fame manner they had entered it, by lying 
on the ground, and going out feet fore mod'. Im¬ 
mediately after they were placed in the chair of 
Mnemofine, and interrogated concerning what 
they had fecn. Giddy and confided, they were 
led back to the chapel of the good Genius, 
where they were fullered to recover their fenfes ; 

u ii 4 they 



ORACLE or TROHIOXIUS. 


47 2 

they then wrote upon a tablet what they ha ! f CC ri 
or heard, and this was interpreted by the piiefh,'' 
Paufanias adds, “ That a man once entered this 
cave, but never came out again.” He was a i]>y of 
Demetrius, font to examine if this place did not 
contain hidden treafures. His body was fnind 
at a great diftance from the place. It is proba¬ 
ble that the priefts, being informed of his defi:>;n, 
maffacred him, and carried out the body by the 
fecret paffage which they themfeives made ufe of 
to enter. Paufanias pofitively lays, to be certain 
of the truth, I have myfelf defeended into the 
cavern, and confulted the oracle. It is not known 
at what time the oracle of Trophonius was ella- 
blifhed. Paufanias only fays, that Bceotia being 
laid wade by a great drought, the inhabitants Pent 
to confult the oracle at Delphos, by which they 
were told, that they mull have recourfe to Tro• 
phonius, whom they would find in Lebadia. T'he 
deputies obeyed, and Saon, the mod aged of them, 
having perceived a fwarm of bees fly towards a 
cave, followed them, and thus difeovered the ora¬ 
cle. Trophonius, Paufanias fays, himfelf pre- 
feribed the worfnip he wifhed to have. It appears 
from this, that Saon lirft inllitutcd this oracle, 

t 

arid that he took advantage of the public calamity 

• O X 

with which his country was vilited, and the an- 

♦ 

fwer of the priedefs to obtain the general confi¬ 
dence,” 

Ob 



OTHER ORACi.F.Sf 


47 i 

A 

* 

OF OTHER ORACLES. 

W E have now given an account of the 
nioft celebrated oracles. To name all would 
he itnpofTible. In Boeotia alone, which was a 
finall province, they counted no lels than twenty- 
five. It is true, this country was covered with 
woods and mountains, places extremely proper* 
fays Mr. de Fontenelle,for the myfterious ceremo¬ 
nies of thefe inftitutions. Aimoft all the gods and 
the greater part of the de mi-gods and heroes, had 
their oracles. However no divinity had fo many 
as Apollo. All oracles were not of equal anti¬ 
quity i every day produced new ones, white the 
old grew into difrepute. Frequently they were 
pillaged. -That of Delphos particularly was feve- 
ral times plundered ; fir ft by the Phoceans, then 
by Pyrrhus, afterwards by Nero, and laftly by 
the Chriftians. The triumph of the Chriftian reli¬ 
gion over idolatry produced the downfal of 
oracles, and in the caverns and fubterraneous places 
where they were given, were found evident marks 
of the impoftures of the priefts: We /hall now 
give a few of the remarkable anfwers of thefe 
oracles. 

Crodus, difpleafed with the oracle of Delphos, 
though lie had loaded it with prefents, wifhed to 
dike it by furprife: he fent to demand of the 

Pythia, 



474 


other oracles. 

► 

Pythia, what he was doing at the moment hi'? 
mefienger was coniulting her. She immediate]- 

V 

anfwered, that, by his orders, a did was prepa¬ 
ring, compofed of a lamb and a tortoile, which 
was exadly true. Crcefus had imagined this lin¬ 
gular compofition, in hopes of confounding her, 
but this anfwer removed all his doubts, and his 
prefents became more numerous than before. 

A governor of Cilicia, fays Plutarch, wished to 
fend a fpy among the gods. He gave his emiflary 
a note, well lealed, to carry to Malles, where was 
the oracle of Mopfus. This meflenger palling 
the night in the temple, faw a. man, who laid to 
him black. He carried back this anfwer, which 
at Hrft appeared ridiculous, but the governor 
having broken open the letter, Ihowed them that 
he had written, c< Shall I fucrihce to thee a black 
or a white bull ?” 

A prieftefsof Dodona returned an anfwer which 
proved fatal to herfelf. The Boeotians coming to 
confult her, fhe faid to them, ct You will be victo¬ 
rious if you act with impiety.” The deputies 
immediately feized her, and burnt her alive, Ly¬ 
ing, if fhe had deceived them they would take 
this method of punifiring her, and if what Ike 
had faid was true, they would by this means le¬ 
cture to themfclves victory. Thefe deputies weie 
arrefted, but they dared not punilh them without 

a legal trial; two priefleffes and two men weie 

their 



SYBILS. 


475 


their judges: the former wifhed to condemn 
them, but the latter were of a different opinion, 
and they were acquitted. 


OF THE SYBILS. 

The ancients gave the name of Sybil to 
a certain number of young females, whom they 
fuppofed endowed with the gift of prophecy. 
The learned are not agreed as to the origin of this 
name; they are in doubt whether it is Hebrew, 
African or Greek : but the greater number think 
it of Greek derivation, and that it fignifies in- 
fpired. All antiquity unites in attefting the ex¬ 
igence of the Sybils. There are different opi¬ 
nions concerning their number, country, names, 
and the times when they lived ; but even this dif¬ 
ference of opinion proves the reality of their 
having exifled. 

Varro, the moff learned of the Romans, rec¬ 
kons ten Sybils, and quotes the authors by whom 
they are mentioned. His opinion then we Hi all 
follow, andobferve the order which he has adopted 
in his account of them. 

1. The Perfian. She was called Sambethe, 
and in the Sybilline verles attributed to her, fire 
flyles herfelf daughter-in-law to Noah. 

2. The Lybian, faid to be the daughter of' 

Jupiter, 



SYJHLS. 


47 '^ 

Jupiter 


She vifited Clares, Delphcb, 


Samos, and feveral other countries. 

3. The Delphian, daughter of Tirefias. After 
the capture of Thebes, fhe was by the F.pigoni. 
appointed prieftefs to the temple at Dclphos, 
Diodorus fays, that fire was frequently fcizcd with 
a divine enthufiafm, which procured her the name 
of.Sybih 

4. The Sybil of Cumte or the Cumean, who was 
the moffc celebrated of all. A learned modern, Mr. 
Petit, thinks fhe was the only one that ever cxifled, 
and fupports his opinion, by laying, :c That all the 
verfes of the Sybils were written in Greek, which 
could not have happened, if the Sybils had been of 
different countries.” Mr. Petit thinks, that this 
myfterious female travelled much, and that this 
gave rife to the opinion, that there were feveral 
who redded in different countries. This obferva- 
tion however of Mr. Petit, cannot invalidate the 
opinion of the ancients, and particularly that of 
Yarro. In the fir ft place there is no proof that all 
;he Sybils fpoke Greek ; and in the fecond it mav 

A 

reafonably be fuppoled, that the productions 
thefe females which were collected with as much 
care as the oracles of the Pythia, might have been 


01 


trim dated into Greek. However that maybe, the 
following account is what we learn from hiilon 

CP 

concerning this Sybil. Her name was Deiphobi. 

She vas daughter to Glaucus and priellels o\ 

A polk 



Apollo. This god wifhed to gain her affeftiofls, 
and promifed her whatever fine lhould demand* 
Her requeft was, that her years might be as many 
as the grains of fand which die then held in her 
hanch but fhe unfortunately forgot at the liune rime 
to aik the perpetual bloom of youth. Even this, how¬ 
ever, Apollo offered it fhe would crown his willies 3 
but Deiphobe preferred the glory of eternal chaftity 
to the pleafures of eternal youth ; lb that the prime 
and vigour of life were fucceeded by forrowful 
enfeebled old age, and in the time of AEneas, by her 
own account, fhe had already lived leven hundred 
years. Three hundred more remained to be fpent, 
when her body being con lb met! by time, nothing 
would remain of her but the voice, which by fate 
die would retain for ever. This fable is founded 
upon the long life which was attributed to the Sy¬ 
bils. That of Cumae, who was fuppofed to be in- 
fpired by Apollo, rendered oracles from the bot¬ 
tom of a cavern placed in the temple of that 
god. This cavern had an hundred doors, whence 
ilfued as many terrible voices, announcing the an¬ 
swers of this prop he tds. She was likcwil'e prieit- 
ris of Hecate, and the facred wood of Avernus was 
committed to her care. The veries of this Sybil 
were carefully preferved by the Romans, and kept 
under the greatelt iecrcfy. A college compofcd of 
hheen members, called the Quindeeemviri of the 
Sybils, were entrufted with the chan>c of this col- 

lea ion. 



SYBILS. 


4 7 8 

ledion. Such implicit faith had they in the pre- 
didions o( the Sybils, that they engaged in no con- 
fiderable v/ar without confulting them. In times 
of fedition, or any public calamity, fuchas a defeat, 
a peftilence, or a famine, recourle was always had 

to the Sybilline veriest they were perpetualoracks* 

as frequently confulted by the Romans, as that of 
Delphos was by the Greeks. With refped to the 
other oracles of the Sybils, which had been colleded, 
they were made fubfervient to the purpofes of po¬ 
licy and ambition. Julius Crtfar, perpetual dicta¬ 
tor, and abfolute mailer of Rome, wilhed to give 


greater luftre to his power, by caufing himfdf to be 
proclaimed king. His partisans promulgated a 
Sybilline oracle, by which it was pretended, that 
the Rarthians could never be reduced but by a mo¬ 
narch. The Roman people were in confequence 
preparing to grant him this title, and the decree 
was to have palled the fenate, the very day he von 
afiafiinated. 

The Romans ereded a temple to the Guinean 
Sybil, and honoured her as a divinity in the lame 
place where fhe had delivered her oracles. 

5. The fifth Sybil was the Trythraean, or I'.ry- 
thrrea, who predicted the lliccefs of the Trojan 
war, at the time the Greeks were embarking iur 
that expedition. 

6. The Samian, or that ofSamos, whole prophe¬ 
cies are preferved in the annals of the Samians. 

7. TIi« 



SYBILS. 


479 


7. The C11 mean, born at Cuma, acity of iEolis. 
She was called Demophile, or Herophile, and 
fometimes even Amalthea. It was flie who fold 
the colledion of Sybilline verfes to Tarquin the 
Elder. This colledtion confillcd of nine books, 
for which Herophile a Iked three hundred pieces 
ofgold; being refilled this fum, (lie threw three 
of them into the fire, and dill continued to demand 
the fame price: Tarquin hefitating, (lie immedi¬ 
ately burnt three more, and peril fled in demand¬ 
ing the three hundred pieces of gold for thole 
whichremained. Finding her inflexible, and fearing 
(lie would deftroy them alfo, he at lad: granted her 
the fum file required. When this king had gained 
polTeflion of the books, he confided them to the 
care of two particular prieils, called duumviri, 
whole whole employment was to watch over this 
facred trull. The celebration of centennial games 
was afterwards annexed to this office. Thefe 
books, as we have find, were confiulted in time of 
any great public calamity, but by a decree of the 
lenate only, without which, the duumviri could 
not, under pain of death, permit any perfon to in* 
i'pedl them. 

This firfl colledion of Sybilline oracles perifhed 
in the fire which confumed the capitol when Sylh 
was didator. The Senate, to repair this loll, 
lent to Samos, to Erythrma, and into Greece and 
Alia, in quell of Sybilline vcrlcs. Thefe, when 

collected, 



4Sd 


SYBILS* 


collected, were depofited in the capitol; bu-- 
many parts of them were apocryphal, the conn 
dence in them was not fo great as in the forme.', 
It was to take charge of thefe that the college o ( 
quindecemviri was inftituted; 

The fate of this fecond colledjon is unknown. 
There remains a third, which confifts of eight 
books. It contains many of the ancient predic¬ 
tions, but all critics regard it as an abfurd mcdlev, 
to which no confidence can be given. We find in 
It the myflerics of the redemption, the miracles, 
pafilon, and death of our Saviour, the creation of 
the world, and of terreftrial paradife. In thefe 
verfes the Sybil, after having fpoken the language of 
Ifaiah and the evangelifls, talks of her gallantries 
with Apollo. She mentions Lot, and calls herfclf 
a Chriftian. She recommends the worfhip of fa lie 
gods; orders the facrifice of human vidims; and 
afterwards predicts the misfortunes with which the 
Romans are threatened, if they do not abandon 
idolatrous worfhip, and embrace the Chriftian faith, 
Every thing concurs to prove, that this third col - 
ledtion was not the work of the Sybils, but an ab¬ 
furd compofition formed by a millakcn and grofslv 
ignorant devotion. 

8 . The Hellefpontine Sybil, born at Murpcfia in 
the country of Troas. She prophcficd in the tune o' 
Solon and Croefus. 




GAMtS. 4^i 

5. The Phrygian, who redded at Ancyra, and 

there rendered oracles. 

xo. That of Tibur called Albunea, at the town 
ofTibur, or Tivoli, on the Teverone, where fhe was 

honoured as a divinity. 

It was generally believed that Sybils were beings 
of a nature between gods and mortals. 

The refpedt in which their verfes were held, 
continued a long while under the reign of the em¬ 
perors. The fenate having, in the time of Theo- 
dofius, embraced chriftianity, the veneration for 
thefe became much dinrinifhed, and Stilicho, under 
the reign of Honorius, at lad caufed them to be 
burnt. 


OF GAMES 


Games were almod always inftituted from 
religious motives; they were at the fame time a 
fort of public amufemcnr among the Greeks and 


Romans. 


Of thefe games and cxercifes th 


ree prin¬ 


cipally engaged the attention of the Romans; races, 
combats, and theatrical rep re fen ratio ns. The firlf, 
called equeftrian or Curule games, confided in 
races, which were run in the circus, dedicated to 
Neptune, or to the fun. The Jocund, called Ago- 
nales, confided in wrefl.ling, or in combats, between 
men, and fometimes between animals trained up 


Ii 


for 



GAMES, 


482 

for that purpofe. Thefe were exhibited in tile 
Amphitheatre, confecrated to Mars and Diana. 

The laid were the theatrical performances con- 
filling of tragedies, comedies, and fatires, which 
were reprefented upon the llage in honour of 
Bacchus, Venus, and Apollo. 

The moll celebrated of the Grecian games were 
the Olympian, the Pythian, the Nemean, and the 
Ifthmian. They were inllituted to honour the 
gods, to commemorate great events, and to accuf- 
tom youth to bodily cxercifes. Thefe games were 
divided into the following courles : fir ft:, mufic and 
Tinging: fecondly, the chariot and foot races; the 
foot firft and the chariot after: thirdly, leaping 
and the difcus; (this was a heavy Hone, which 
they contended in throwing farthell:) fourthly, 
wrefiling, which confifted in exerting all their 
flrength to call each other to the ground ; the 
combatants were naked, their bodies rubbed 
with oil, and covered with a fine dull to prevent 
perfpiration: fifthly, the ceftus, or boxing, in 
which the hands were provided with thick tliongi 
from a bullock’s hide, and a fpecies of defence 
for the arms, called cellus. 

We have already given an account of the origin 
of the Olympic games, the epoch when they 
we it inllituted, and that when they were revived, 

'1 hey began with a lblemn facrifice, and were re- 
foi led to from all parts of Greece. The cenqu'-- 



GAMES. 483 

tors wefe proclaimed aloud by an herald, and ce¬ 
lebrated with longs of victory. They wore a tri¬ 
umphal crown, and had the firft place in all aftem- 
blies. They received rich prefents from their city, 
and were ever after entertained at the public expence. 

The firltwho came erf victorious in the race, was 
Chooe'rbus, a native of Elis. Cynifca, daughter of 
king Archidamas, was the firft of her lex who gained 
the prize for chariots with four wheels ; this was at 
the celebration of the fixteenth Olympiad, and from 
that time ladies were permitted to affift at thefe 
games. Before CynifcaorCynifea, women could not 
approach the place where the fe games were celebrat¬ 
ing. Had they rafhly attempted to intrude themfelves 

they would have been precipitated from the top of 

% 

mount Typeum; and to avoid all furprife the 
combatants were naked; this cuftom was adopted 
becaufe Callipatira, after the death of ner hulband, 
drelfed herfelf like a mafter of exercife, and led her 
fon Pifidorus to the Olympic games. The young 
man being declared viftor, his mother leaped over 
the barrier, and ran to clafp him in her arms, 
calling him her fon. In confederation of her father, 
brothers, and fon, who had all been crowned at 
thele games, Hie was pardoned this infraftion of 
the law, but from that time thefe mafters, like the 
combatants, were obliged to appear naked. The 
Judges who prefided at the games were called. 
Udlanodiccs or Grecian Judges. From their deci- 

ficn 


> 1 5, 



GAM”, 3 . 


484 


lion was no appeal. There were originally only two 
of them, but to render the means of corrupting 
them more difficult, their number was afterward; 
increafed to ten. The prodigious concourfe of 


people, which by the celebration of thefe games 
were drawn to Olympia, had enriched that c’ty and, 
all Elis. It was likewife one of the principal caullu 
of the great riches and magnificence of the temple 
of Jupiter Olympus. Round this temple flood a la- 
cred wood called Altis, in which were the flame : 
erecled in honour of thole who had gained the 
prizes at thefe games, all executed, by the mo/l erd- 

Greece. The odes of Pinch,- 


s of 


nent fculptor 
which have come to our hands, immortalize thT: 
who iu his time were triumphant in the four nml 
J’oiemn games of the Greeks •, the Olympian, tb: 
Illhmian, the Pythian, and the Nemean. la. 
height of glory mid honour vrus to be celebrated b 
Pindar. “ I '.is genius (lays iiacon,) was an impel: a 
Iceptre, with which lie iiibdued and aftoniffied dm 
human mi.id.” 

The deilcndnnts of Helenas were fo numerow. 
and became fo powerful in Greece, tint thy- 
procured a jaw, by which it was enacted, tim 
li who pretented thcmlelves to contend in do 
Olympic games fhoukl prove themfelvcs con- 


4 *• 


netted with this family by ties of blood, bcioi 

they could be admitted. Alexander himlcH 

forced to prove his delccnt from the Hclcni, before 

he 



RELIGION Of THE HR ST INHABITANTS, &C, 485 

ho was received into the lifts at thefe games. All 
the families in Greece on this account pretended to 
be descended from the Heleni, and this name 
which originally was particular to a (ingle tribe, 
now became the common name ofall the Greeks. 


AN ENQUIRY INTO THE RELIGION’ 01 THE 
HIIST INHABITANTS OE (TEAT TRIE AIN. 

In the infancy of dates, as in the infancy 

of man, illuflriour; actions are always rare. It is 

* 

not till after the lap(ct of ages that the arts and 

lciences attain any degree of perfection. It is the 

Time with hiflorians, they are only to be found in 

* * 

civilized nations; and if fume faces have reached 
us which took place in the lird ages of the world, 
they are generally exaggerated, or disfigured by 
uncertain traditions. 

We have already obierval, that every people 
afi'umed for their founder fome imaginary god or 
hero. We have feen the Greeks endeavouring to 
throw a veil over their origin, whllll even their 
fables (thofc incoherent compound* of their me¬ 
mory and imagination) became evidences in favour 
of truth. The name of a god, of a city, of a 
Gentry, of a mountain, ol a cudnm which they 
u <‘re ignorant of before, and winch they were 

e~> ' 

obliged to exprefs by form* foreign appellation, 


W the vcfiigcs which Truth leaves behind her. 




RELIGION OF THE FIRST INHABITANT 



and which all the efforts of vanity and felf love can 
never totally efface. 

In the general pidure which we have endea¬ 
voured to draw, for the purpofe of explaining the 
origin of idolatry and mythology in general, it 
may be perceived that the eaftern nations v.erc 
the fir ft who peopled the earth. The more atten¬ 
tively we examine liiftorv, the more convinced 
v/e become, that thefe rich and beautiful countries 
were the original feats of our forefathers, and the 

O J 

brilliant centre from whence the arts and Icier,m 
were diffufed o-ver the reft of the globe, Jt would 
be much more difficult, and perhaps even inipofll- 
ble, to tell at what time and in what manner the 


Britifh ifles were firft inhabited. 


The finely cf 


natural hiftory inclines us to believe, that they 
constituted formerly part of the continent of T.u- 
rope, but neither tradition nor any human record 
can give us tire leaft information concerning the 
period of this feparation. It is fufficient to extend 
our remarks to thofe ages of which we have fine 
knowledge, without ufelefsly and prefumptuoufly 
lofing ourfelves in the epochs of imagination. In 
vain does human vanity attempt to give greater 
antiquity to time, its longefl periods will he no 
more than an imperceptible point in the midll n; 
that eternity which precedes and will follow then:. 
Without pretending to fix the exadl time wiiei: 
Tngland was firft peopled, we may with probability 




OF GREAT BRITAIN. 


4*7 

fuppofe that the different countries of the Gauls 
were inhabited before that period. It is natural 
to imagine that men would not venture to crofs the 
fea, and take up their refidence in iflands, till com¬ 
pelled by the too great increaie of population. 
We know that the Celts were mailers of Europe, 
from the mouth of the Oby in Euffia, to Cape 
Einifterre. The fame language fpoken by nations 
feparated from each other by immenle trails of 
land is fufficient proof of this, but it throws no 
light upon the beginning of their hiftorv. 

The mold famous of all the Celtic nations were 
thofe who inhabited the countries of Gaul, and it 
is to the hiftorians of the nations with whom they 
were engaged in frequent wars, that they are in¬ 
debted for their celebrity. Julius Cue far and 
Tacitus fay, that Great-Britain was the firft coun¬ 
try peopled by the Celtic Gauls. 'I he fituation or 
the refpedtive places renders this opinion probable, 
and the conformity of language and cultoms which 
exifted between the Britons and the Gauls, leaves 
no doubt concerning this origin. It may be fup- 
pofed, that the Gaulifh colony firlt fettled in that 
part of the illand which was op polite to their own 
country, from whence extending themfelves by 
degrees, they afterwards peopled the whole illand. 
Whatever be the oriuin of the inhabitants of Great 

o 

Britain, they were fuflkicntly numerous, and ef-. 
pecially fufficienily courageous to refill the Ro~ 

i j 4 mans. 



488 RELIGION Ot THE FIRST INHABITANTS 


mans, when mailers of the whole known world 
befides. Their government was at that time a 
mixture of monarchy and ariflocracy. The chief; 
fuperintended the execution of the laws, but the 
legiilative power was lodged in the hands of the 
druids. Thefe priefts, fo celebrated for their own 
divinations, and that of their wives, for their pre¬ 
tended intercourfe with heaven, and for their man¬ 
ner of living, which was folitary and auftere, were 
regarded by the people as the infallible organs nf 
the Divinity. It was by the command of thefe 
fovereign pontiffs that the people united under one 
chief, whofe office, like that of the Roman dictator, 
lafted no longer than was neceffary to repel danger 
or terminate a war. 


The druids preferved this extenfive authority a 
long time among the Celts, particularly in Great. 
Britain, but after the fecond century their credit 
declined fall. Wars became frequent, and the 
nobility carried away by their impetuous courage, 
were no longer folicitous to enter into this order, 
The number of prJefls diminifhecl, and precepts m 
religion were quickly corrupted, or nearly forgot¬ 
ten in the tumults of a camp. Viflory, by favour 
ing thofe chiefs, who were called Vergobrets ;: 
title equal to that of king) rendered them mow 
independent of the druids. 

Tremnor, great grandfather of the celebrated 


Fingal, having been defied vergobret by the 






of grf.at eritaint. 


489 


torious tribes which he had led to battle, the druids 
lent a deputation to him, defiring him to lay down 
his authority. A refufal on the part of Tremnor 
brought on a civil war, in which a great number of 
[lie druids pcrilbed. 

Thol'e who efcapcd the Daughter, fled and con¬ 
cealed themfclves in the depth oi tire forefts and 
in caverns, where they tiled to retire to purlue their 
meditations, and the \ ergobrets, or kings, then 


rook the whole authority into rheir own hands. 
However, the kings and heads of tribes ro give 
{lability to their power, to Ihow rheir refpeft for 
religion, and to have home to celebrate their ex- 

O ' 

ploits, recalled the bards from their lblitary retreat. 
The office of the inferior dais of druids was to 
fi;ig the praifes of gods and heroes. Conquerors, 
emulous of immortalizing their names, (pared thefe 
difpenfers of glory, invited them to rheir camp, 
and gratitude animating the poetry of the bards, 
they delcribed their protectors as heroes poflWIed 
ot every virrtir. Thelc difcipics of the druids 
were admitted to the leience and mylleries of their 
preceptors. 

diem a fuperiority over the vulgar. TJiey em¬ 
ployed rheir poetical abilities m deicribing every 
virtue and every heroic lemimen!. KinVs eap"erJv 

J O O 1 

endeavoured to imitate the heroes of their favourite 
poems; chieftains of tribes ft rove to follow their 
e.vampl-', and this noble emulation being commu¬ 
nicated 


Thur talents and knowledge cave 



490 RELIGION! OF THE FIRST I S'HABITANTS 


ideated throughout the whole nation, formed that 
general character of the inhabitants of Great Britain 
who, to the noble courage which dignifies a fuc 
nation, have ever united the nioft engaging virtues 
of civilized fociety. 

The glory of a great people roufes the genius 
of the man poiTefled by nature of fenfibility and a 
lively imagination ; he burns with a defire of im¬ 
mortalizing his country. Common language ap¬ 
pears unequal to the aclions he means to celebrate; 
metre and harmony he knows will more eafily 
imprefs his fbbjedt upon the memory. This un¬ 
doubtedly gave rife to poetry in every nation; and 
this art conftituted part of the religion of the druids. 
The cuftom. common to every nation, of repeat¬ 
ing hiftorical poems on folemn cccafions, and of 
teaching them to their children, was fufticient to 
prefcrvc them fora long time without the afliftance 
of writing. The Germans have tranfmitted thefe 
poetical traditions for eight hundred years; it is 
not aflonifhing then, that the inhabitants of Great 
Britain, ever lb much attached to the memory of 
their anceftors, fhould have handed down from 
generation to generation the poems of their bards. 

It was this 
# 

dillant inhabitants of the mountains, which enabled 
Mr. iVlacpherfon to colledt the poetry of the cele 
brated Offian. 

The bards, after having long been the principal 

inilruiftor. 


cuftom, preferved among tiie mcfl 



07 GREAT BRITAIN. 


49 i 


:nftru£tors and hiftorians of the:- country, defeend- 
icd from thele high functions to become the 
flatterers of thole who preceded them, or the 
flanderers of thole whom they regarded as their 

enemies. 

* 

Little pafiions have aK vs the j pernicious pro— 
petty of mifleading and even exringuifiiing genius. 

The bares, in forgetting the noble infpirations of 
their predeceftbrs, retained no other power than 
that of amuling- or flatcering the vain. They foon 
loft all their importance uith the great, and the 
multitude r.lone deigned to receive them favourably. 

No longer poffefied of the talent which renders 
virtue engaging, they interned fables of enchanted 
caftlcs, of dwarfs, giants, Sec. The fober truths 
of biftory gave place to the marvellous fidions of 
romance. The abufe of this talent brought the 
bards into contempt; the people tk-mfthes grew - 
weary of them and they difappeared. The warlike 
hero, however, was not forgetful of his valour, he 
would not renounce the flattering advantage of 


hearing the celebration of his exploits. Courage, 
and the noble define of fuccouring the opprefied, 
and redrefling their wrongs, produced that fj.niit 
of chivalry which gave birth to prodigies of h.cro- 
ifm. Illuftrious adions awakened the genius of 
a clafs of men who came to replace the bards, under 
the name of 'Troubadours. This appears to be 

the period from which we mu ft date the com¬ 
mence- 




RELIGION OF THE FIRST INHABITANTS, 


n 

CMC, 


mencement of thofe books of chivalry fo extraor¬ 
dinary and yet fo full of charms, that even now 
they excite our admiration. In reading them it is 
neceflary to recoiled, that to pleafe they mini 
pofTefs probability, for it is only by imitating n.;. 

w 

ture that art can pleafe. What idea then ouE:t 
we to entertain of thofe knights they were intended 


to delcribe ? In the romance of the round labh. 

9 

of St. Greal, of Amadis, &c. reafon will evo 
teach us to refeind what appears to be merely ni.ir 
vellous, but the noble and the brave will never wii 
in queftion the prodigies atchieved by valour. It 
is remarkable that England is generally made the 
theatre of chivalry by the Troubadours, and ancient, 
writers of that defeription. We mult likewile 
take notice that all hiftorians, after deferibinp tiie 


druids as priefts much fuperior to thofe of all other 
nations, agree in giving the druids of England a 
fupericrity over all others. They extol thole of 
the college of Chartres, thofe of the fore It ofMur- 
feilles, thofe in the environs of Thouloufe, but 
they all add, that when any in thefe colleges were 
found to poflefs great talents, they were Cent to 
finifh their inftrudion amonar the druids of Britain.. 
The re fult of thefe obfervations is., that* from the 
moil clidant periods, the inhabitants of (bear M;i- 
tain have ever excited the admiration of lurround- 
Imr nations, bv their wifdom, learning ami couran.e. 


RELIGiOW 



RELIGIOUS OPINION'S, &C. 



.RELIGIOUS OPINIONS of the FIRST INHABI¬ 
TANTS of GREAT BRITAIN. 


It appears certain that the original Bri¬ 
tons ereded no temple to the Divinity. Nay we 
find in the poems of Oflian, that fubiime bard cx- 
preffing his contempt for the temples and worfiiip 
of Odin, god of the Scandinavians, whom he calls 
Loda. Oflian rep re fen ts thefe people as invoking 
their god round a flattie, which he calls the done 

o 


of power. He reprobates this worfiiip, and con- 
lklers it as impious. The druids, bards, and the 
people whom they mflructcd, regarded all nature 
as the temnle of the divinity. That thev had 

L ' J 

notions of a Supreme B. ing cannot be doubted, 
iince they believed in the immortality of the foul, 
and in the rewards and punifi.ments of a future 
life. Their opinion wa-,, that the clouds were the 
habitation of fouls alter their fepniatkm from the 
body. The brave and virtuous were received 
with joy into the aerial palaces of their fathers, 
whilft the wicked, the cowardly and the cruel, 
were excluded the abode of heroes, and con¬ 
demned to wander, the Iport of every wind, 
i here were different manfious in the palaces of 
die clouds; tiie piinaual u! which were aflipncd 

J 1 CD 


t° n'iCi it and coin ag-*:, and lids idea was a great 
inurement to the emulation of their warriors. The 

foul 



494 


religious Opinions op 


■ 

foul always preferred the fame pafTions which it 
poffelfed during life; thefe aerial palaces offered, 
no other enjoyment than what they had preferred 
when living. They fuppofed that winds and Horns 
were under the direction of departed fpiritSj but 
their power never extended over men. A her a 
could not Ire admitted into the palace of his fathers, 
unlefs the bards had fung his funeral hymn. This 
hymn appears to have been the only eficntial cere¬ 
mony of their funerals. The body was extended 
on a bed of clay, at the bottom of a grave fix or 
eight feet deep. At the head of a warrior they 
placed his fwonl and tv.elve arrows; the corpfe 
was covered with a fecond body of clay, and upon 
this they laid the horns of a flag, or fome other 
wild bead. Sometimes they killed his favourite 
dog, to lay on this fecond body of clay; the whole 
was then covered with fine mould, and four Rents 
marked the extent of the tomb. 

None but a bard could open the gates of the 


aerial palaces, which he did by chanting the funeral 
hymn. Negleft of ihis ceremony left the foul in 
the exhalations of the lake Lego, or Jome other, 
and to thefe unhappy fouls they attributed the ti'd- 
orders arifing from the vapour of lakes or marl net. 
which are fo frequent and fometkn.es even mortal. 
Wc may fee with what care the druids encouraged 
opinions which rendered their minillry fo conlohnf; 
and fo neceflary. Death was not fuppofed to have 


3 


rlv 



THE FIRST BRITONS. 


A 95 

the power of diflfolving the ties of blood. The 
ihades of the dead took part in the happy or un¬ 
fortunate events of their friends. No nation had 
fo implicit a belief in apparitions. The moun¬ 
taineers, in particular, feeming to take pleafure in 
their gloomy ideas, frequently paffed whole nights 
upon a heath ; the whittling of the wind, or the 
noife of torrents, made them imagine they heard 
the voice of the dead, and if furpriled by fleep in 
the mitlft of theie reveries, they regarded their 
dreams as certain prognoftics of futurity. Good 
and bad fpirits did not appear in the fame manner, 
the s;ood fhowed themfelves to their friends during 

O 

the day in retired pleafant valleys, the bad were 
never fcen but at night in the midfl of winds and 
tempefts. Neither did death deftroy the charms 
of the fair. The Ihades of tirefe preferved their 
original form and beauty. No terror accompanied 
them; when they traverfed the air, all their motions 
were graceful, and the gentle nolle of their ap¬ 
proach had fomething in it pleafing and encourag¬ 
ing. At the moment of executing any great 
cnterprize, they imagined that the fouls of their 
fathers defcended from the clouds to fore tel their 
good or ill iuccefs : and when they did not appear* 
gave them notice at lead by lb me omen. Every 
man thought he had his tutelar fhade, who always 
attended him. When death approached, this guar* 
<han lpirit .drowed itfclf to him in the pofition in 

which 



RELIGIOUS OPINIONS OP 


496 

which he was to die, and Tent forth plaintive crW 
of forrow. On the death of a great perfona^e, tlw 

^ J 

were perfuaded that the fouls of departed bard;, 
fung round his phantom during three whole nights 
It was a received opinion among them, that the 
moment a warrior ceafed to exilt, the arms ; n hi s 
houfe were covered with blood; that his fpcftn; 
went to vifit the place of his birth, and that it ap¬ 
peared to his dogs, which fetup difmal yells at r!,e 
fight of it. 

It was to thefo fpirits they attributed the m . e 
part of natural effects. If echo ft ruck the c.:,-, a 
was the fpirit of the mountain they heard, ; 
hollow found of the temped, was the roab.-y 
the fpirit of the hill. Did the harp of a ba;d , 
ceive a vibration from the wind, it was the 
who by this gentle touch announced the deal.!-, of 
fome diftingulfhed character. 1vr 
refigned his breath, but this prophetic founu as 
rendered by the harps of the bards belonging to 
his family. We feel how confoling it mull he/e 
appeared to people all nature with the ihadc., of 
their friends and anceftors, by whom they hippoifo 
themfelvcs conftantly furrounded. NotwitliiUi . 1 - 
ing all the melancholy which mull accorn}..an 
fuch an idea, wc are ftnfible iiow intereftii.g an 
pleafing it mull have been. 

♦ 

It was fufijcicnt to engage and fill the ima.Miu- 

tion; and it is undoubtedly to this cuufe wc uiull 

am 1- 


i\o king nor cLr.f 





THE FIRST BRITONS. 


4 97 

attribute the fmall number of divinities which were 
honoured among the ancient Brit'ons; it appears 
even certain that they only acquired a knowledge 
ofEluSj Dis, Pluto, Samothcs, Tcutates and other 
deities, by means of their intercourse with foreign 
nations. The Pibts and Saxons introduced amon 


(V 

o 


them their Andate, goddefs of victory. 


Th 


t 




Romans likewife made them acquainted with form' 
of their divinities. 

We are allured by Tacitus and Dion Cafiu:>j 
tl:at the Gauls firft brought into England ;he hor- 

O V..J 

rid cuftom of facriucincr human viciims. 


, • r /A * • 

J. % i L - 


tending our refearches farther, we might bhewer 
likewife vefliges of the Phoenician worth in •. foi 
every tiling leads us to conclude, that in the ear- 
lied: ages of the world, tilde iirll. of navigator 1 ' 

O' o 

known brought their merchandize into Britain., 
which they exchanged for tin. But wc ihall enter 
no farther into particulars concerning thole reli¬ 
gions ceremonies which they derived from foreign 
nations, fince every hiftory, tradition and cuftom 
proves, in the mod' convincing manner, that the 
religion of the Druids alone was u.niverlally adopted. 

We flrall now lay before our readers the mod 
authentic information concerning thefe celebrated 
men, which we can collect from hiftory or tradition. 



THE DRUIDS. 



OF THE DRUIDS 


‘ N. 


The accounts of Csefar and Tacitus co;, 
tradidt each other; the former faying, that th 
religion of the Druids had its birth in England ; aiul 
the latter, that the Gauls when they peopled this 
illand introduced it amongft them. “ To reconcile 
thefe two authors (fays the Abbe Banicr) v,c 
may fuppofe, that the Gauls when they came into 
Britain brought with them their religion, blit tl;:.' 
the iflanders, more ltudious and lefs engaged 


0"0 


foreign wars than the Gauls were, preferred r. 
in its greatell purity j this (he adds) was tin. 


t?V 


reafon of that profound refpeft in which 
Druids of Gaul held thofe of Britain, w;sc::, 
they regarded as considerably their fuperiors :: 




M 


* » 


Banicr) originally formed but one family, and has 
only one faith, but when they became clifp.-rliv 
they corrupted the purity of their primitive reli¬ 
gion: fome directing tlicir courfc by land toward 


the north, under the names of Scythians, Oho 
Scythians and Celts, peopled thofe vail countm 
which leparate us from Afia-, others more bold, 
braved all the dangers of the ocean. 

“ Hillory proves that tin: Ehcenicians and. Car: 1 ..' 
ginians penetrated into the molt remote pint. 1 ‘ 
•he weft; hence no doubt, th.at rcfcmblance <'< 





TIIE DRUIDS. 


49 9 


tween the religions of nations divided by fo many 
foas and countries.” 

This account of Mr. l’Abbe Banier clearly ex ¬ 
plains the parallel which has been fo often drawn 
between the Magi and the Druids; it proves that 
the Gauls derived their religion from the Perfians, 
or at lealt from thole nations which approached 
their country towards the north. The Magi and 
the Druids, both equally refpeCted in their diffe¬ 
rent countries, were always con fill ted in matters of 
great importance. They were their only religious 
minifters. The Magi rejected the opinion which 
attributes to the gods a human origin ; nor did they 
cliltinguifh them into gods and goddeffes; it was 
exactly the fame with the Druids. Both governed 
die Hate, and were confulted even by fovereurns. 


Their white veils refembled each other, and both 


were equally forbid the life of ornaments of gold. 
The difpenlers and protestors of jullicc, they pro¬ 
nounced fentence, and carefully infpcctecl tire con- 
dud; of thofe wliom they appointed to all:It them 
:n the difeharge of this important function. The 
immortality of the foul was the principal point 
of belief among both the Perlians and Gauls; nei- 
tlvr of them created either temples or (tatties. 
1 ’iie Perfians worfhipped fire; the Druids main¬ 
tained a perpetual Hie in their fort.Its. The Per- 

ham: paid their adoration 10 water; the Gauls ren¬ 
dered divine honours to the i.imc element. From 


k. K 


V - 


the fo 



,500 


THE DRUIDS. 


thefe refemblances 'we may reafonably conclude 
that the religion of the Magi and that of the Druids, 
had both the fame origin. The difference we find 
between them may have arifen from the different 
caufes of war, diftance and time. The religion of 
the Gauls appears to have always been more pure 
than that of other nations; their ideas of the divinity 
were more juft, and more rational than thofe of the 
Greeks and Romans. Tacitus, Maximus of Tyre, 
and other hiftorians inform us, that the Druids 
were perfuaded that the Supreme Being mu ft be 
adored in filcnce, and with veneration as well as 
with facrifices. But this original limplicity nt; 
longer exifted, even before the Roman conqueft, 
The Druids forgetting their former wifdoin, 
addicted themfelves to divination .and mattic. 

o * 

tolerating the horrid practice of facriftcing hu 
man victims to ikfus and Teutates. Tacittr.. 
Laftantius, and Lucan atteft this barbarous de¬ 


pravity. 

A • 


Julius 


divinities among the Gauls, and they then fir ft 
eredted temples, whilft the Druids of Britain 
continued the exercife of their ancient religion 
in the heart of their forefts, whofe folemn lhades 
ini’pired religious awe. So facred were woods 
among them, that it was forbid to cut them 
down ■, they could not be approached but with 
veneration, and for the purpofe of crowning 

them 



THE DRUIDS. 


.5° J 


them with garlands and trophies. There were 
certain trees which could not be applied to com¬ 
mon ufes, even though they fell with age. This 
refped - arofe from the fublime idea they enter¬ 
tained of the divinity; they were perfuaded, that 
temples could not contain him, nor llatues repre- 
fent him. The Gauls likewife had the higheft ve¬ 
neration for lakes and marfhes, becaufe they fup- 
pofed them the favourite abode of the divinity. 
The moft celebrated of thefe lakes was that of 
Thouloufe, into which they threw gold and fiver 
which had been taken from the enemy. They 

✓ 4 

likewife worlhipped rivers, rivulets, fountains, and 
fire. The Gauls had in the middle of their forefls 
void fpaces, confecrated to religion and religious 
ceremonies. It was here they buried the treafures 
taken from the enemy, and here they facrificed 
tlieir prifoners; fometimes they enclofed them in a 
coIolTalflatueof willow, and furrounding them with 
combuftible matter, conlumed them with fire. 
C;efar caufed thefe retreats to be pillaged by his 
troops, from whence ill-informed hiltorians have 
concluded that the ancient Gauls had temples. 
“ The only temple of thefe people (fays Tacitus) 
isaforeft, where they performed the duties of their 
religion.” None can enter thefe woods unlefs 
he wear a chain, the fymbol of his dependence on 
the Almighty, and of the lupreme power which the 
tlivinity has over him. Nothing is more celebrated 

* k 3 i-i 


1 



THE DRUIDS. 


<5 03 

in the hiftory of the ancient Gauls than the forellsof 
the country of Chartres. The forefts of Thouloufe 
and Marfeilles were almoft equally famous. 

In thefe folitary retirements were held the 
fchools of the Gaulifh Druids. Chartres was 
in fome manner the metropolis of the Gauls- 
but thefe three colleges all agreed in acknow¬ 
ledging their inferiority to the Druids of Britain 
in fcience and wifdom. 


THE DIFFERENT CLASSES of the DRUIDS. 
their MANNERS of LIVING, their DRESS 

and FUNCTIONS. 


I he word Druid is undoubtedly derived 
from the Celtic word deru, which fignifies an oak. 


The minifters were divided into different 
clalfes. The Druids compofed the firft; they 
were the fwpreme chiefs, and fo much were thole 
that followed them their inferiors, and fo "rear 

* Cj 

the refpcdl which the latter paid them, that they 
were obliged to depart when the Druids ay 
peared, and till they had obtained piTmiHio;. 
could not remain in their prcfencc. The intern: 

minifters were the Bards, Sarronidcs, and Tubnyc.. 
or Vates. 

(v/nole name in the Celtic lan¬ 
guage fignifies a finger) celebrated the a&inns «l 


The Bards 


heroes inverles, which they lung and acconipanua 





Till'. DRUIDS. 


.50.? 


upon the harp. In fuch high eftimation were their 
verfes held, that they were fufficient to immorta¬ 
lize. Thefe Bards, though inferior to the Druids 
in power, enjoyed fo great a reputation, that if 
they prefen ted themfelves at the moment two ar¬ 
mies were upon the point of engaging, or even 
if the adtion was already begun, each party laid 
down their arms to liflen to their propolitions. 
They did not confine themfelves to pronouncing 
the eulogiupa of heroes; they had like wile the 
right of cenliiring the adlions of individuals who 
fwerved from their duty. 



fhe Sarronides inflrudted the youth, and in- 
them with virtuous lentiments. The 


Kubages or Vates 


had the care of facrifices, 
and applied themfelves to the contemplation of 
nature; but afterwards the Druids referved to 
themfelves alone all religious functions, and the 
lubaltern mini fliers had then no employ but what 
they prachfed by permifTion of the Druids. 'Hie 
origin of the Jc pontiffs is loft in the re mo to periods 
ol antiquity. 

By Ariftotle, SoJon, and many others before 

diem, the Druids are deferibed as the wiie/t and 

moft enlightened of men in matters of religion. 

■ a) great was the idea entertained of their know- 
lc:'! 


ye, that Cicero flylcs them the firfl inventors 
'■>( Mythology. 'Jhhe J.)niids concealed in foie/ls, 
diere led the moft auf'cir lives. It was here na- 


* v. » 


lion 





THE DRUIDS. 



tions came to confult them ; and Julius Ctefar. 
who in general admired only the fplendid vir¬ 
tues, could not refufe them the tribute of his 
efteem, fo much was he aftonifhed at their man¬ 
ner of living and their knowledge. There were 
feveral colleges of the Druids in the different 


countries of the Gauls, and we have already fair!, 
that the moil celebrated of all was that in the 
country of Chartres. The chief of this college was 
Sovereign pontiff of all the Gauls. It was in tlx 
to re ids of this country that they performed the 


Nothing was 


moll foiemn facrifices, and here afiembled tlx 
grandees of the country, and the legiffative bodies. 
Next to the college of Chartres, that of Mar- 
fellies was the molt confklcrable. 
more famous than the fore ft of that country, anu 
Lucan infpires a fort of religious terror when he 
deferibes the manner in which it was cut down 
by order of Cirfar. The Druids, both young 
and old, had the fame privileges, and obferved 
the fame rules. Their drefs, however, varied in 
feme refpe&s, according to their different pro¬ 
vinces and the rank they occupied. 

into thm 


The ceremony of being admitted 
order confided in receiving the embrace ol the 
old Druids. The candidate, after this, quitted tin* 

common dreff; to inveft himlelf with that of thr 

% 

Druids, which was a coat reaching to the middle 


of the lerr. This drefs was the mark of oriel! • 

V.' -* 




THE DRUIDS. 


SO 5 


hood, to which women could never be admitted. 
The authority of the Druids was fo extenfive, that 
no affair of importance was undertaken without 
confulting them. Theyprelided over the national 
councils, directed war or peace as they pleated, 
punifhed the guilty, and could even depole kings 
and magiftrates when they acted contrary to the 
laws of the country. Their rank was fuperior to 
that of the nobles. To their power every thing 
yielded. It was they who were enrrutfvd with the 
education of the moll illuftrious youth, fo that 


tentiments of veneration for the Druids were in- 


killed into them from 


their eariiefl: infancy. 

4 



thefe priefts belonged the right of annually ap¬ 
pointing the magiftrates who were to prefule over 
the cities; they could raife one of thele magif¬ 
trates to the dignity of vergobret, which was 
equal to that of king. But tliis pretended king 
could do nothing without the content of the 
Druids j they alone could convoke the national 
council, fo that the vergobrets were in reality only 
the principal fubjedks of the Druids. Supreme 
arbiters of all the differences, of all the interefls 


of tire people, juftice was only to be obtained 
through their miniftry. '1 'hey decided equally in 
public and in private affairs. When in a cafe 
before them, they adjudged the difpuccd property 
to him whom they deemed the lawful proprietor, 
lus adverfury was obliged to fubmir, or he was 

2 loaded 



-j'OD 


THE DRUID*. 


loaded with Anathemas, and from that time code 
offer no facrifice; the whole nation regarded him 
as a monfter of impiety, with whom it was forbid 
to hold any communication. 

To the Druids was cntrufted whatever concerned 
religion, and this gave them an unlimited power. 
Sacrifices, offerings, prayers publick and private, 
the fcience of predicting futurity, the care of 
confulting the pods, of anfwcring in their name. 

n « i J n * 


of fludying nature, the right of eftablilhing new 
ceremonies and new laws, and of enforcing die 
execution of thofe already eilablifhed, or of re • 
forming them, fuch were the functions, and inch 
the unbounded authority which thefe priefls ei: 
joyed without controul. Their duty excrnpnd 
them front ferving in war, or paying any publi'.i 
impofts. The number who afpired to this oide; 
was prodigious, and it was open to all ranks .o,b 
profefiions, but great difficulties attended thef 
a-dmiffion from tiie Icru’th of the noviciate, a:. 


they were under ; 


tiie indifpenlable obligation 
iearn and retain by memory, the amazing nun...-: 
of verles which contained their maxims of reli i 


o 1 1 r 

•hi * LI 


political Government. The Gaiili'h won.. . 
tould formerly be admitted to the rank ol ihinb 
files, and they then enjoyed all the pn ropniivc * 
the order, but they cxercifrd their fimrlioir. Jc 
j'ar.uclv from the men. 


j * 

, mm!‘ i 1 (Mi 


\ new clivmatinij', i r 


i. 


i 



DOCTRINE OF THE DRUIDS. 


5< J 


/ 


tiered them more famous even than the Druids 

themfelves. 

When Hannibal paffed through their country 
they (till enjoyed the mod diftinguifhed employ¬ 
ments, for it was ftipulated in a treaty which he 
made with the Gauls, that, ifa Carthaginian fhould 
in any refpebt injure a Gaul, the caufe jfhould be 
tried and determined by the Gaulish women. They 
were afterwards deprived of this authority by the 
Druids, but the period when they were fir ft al¬ 
lowed to pra&ile it is unknown. 


DOCTRINE or the DRUIDS, their superstition, 

CEREMONY OK I'llF. MISI.ETOE OK THE OAK. 


All the doftrine of the Druids tended to 
* 

render men wife, juft, valiant, and religious. The 
fundamental points of this dodtrine were reduced 
to three, adore the gods, do injury to none, be 
brave. " The objedt of their fcicnce (lays Pompo- 
nius Mela) was to attain a knowledge of the form 
and majefty of the Divine Being, and the courfe and 
revolutions of the liars ; they pretended to be ac¬ 
quainted with the conftrudlion of the whole univerfe, 
and the retirement in which they lived certainly 
left them at full liberty to purfuc their enquiries. 
1 hat the Druids and Gauls confidered the foul as 
immortal admits of no doubt, it was their per- 
bullion of this dogma alone, which made them 

6 regard 

o 



,500 DOCTRINE OF THE DRUIDS. 

regard death as the certain means of arriving at a 

more happy Hate. They made a great diftinftiorj 

between thofe who died peaceably furrounded by 

their friends and relations, and thofe who nobly 

#• 

died in the fervicc of their country. The former 

were interred without ceremonv, without eulop-inm. 

without the fongs compofed in honour of the 

dead : but warriors were believed to furvive theni- 

felves; their names were tranfmitted to future 

generations, and they were received into the bofom 

of the Divinity, there to tafte a never-ceafing hap- 

pijj^fs : they alone were honoured with tombs and 

epitaphs: but the dogma of the immortality of the 

foul was not on that account lefs general; this 

opinion can never admit of a divifion, and that 

the Druids profefied it is evident; they only ie- 

garded as condemned to perpetual oblivion thofe 

whole lives had been rendered illuftrious by no 

* 

brilliant or warlike addon, nor by any aft of pub- 
lick utility. This cuftom was founded on the 
martial genius of the Gauls, and other Celtic 
nations, who elteemed nothing fo much as the pro- 
fefiion of arms. The Druids taught, that all 
things would one day be deftroyed by fire or water. 
They believed in tranfmigration, which they could 
never have learned from Pythagoras, as it con lb- 
tuted part of their doctrine before philofophy found 
its way into the Gauls. From time immemorial 
they had adopted the cuftom of burying the dear., 

or 



DOCTRINE OF THE DRUIDS. 


5° 9 


orofpreferving their afhes in urns. They depofited 
in the tombs the arms of the dead, their valuable 
furniture, and an account of the money which was 
due to them. They even wrote letters to their 
friends after their deceafe; they firmly believed 
that all letters thrown into the tombs of tiic dead 
would arrive at them place of deflimuion. 

The Druids communicated verbally their l'cience 

* 

and dodlrines to the candidates for iliac office, whole 
noviciate was extremely long. Thefe maxims and 
feiences were never reduced to vridap;, they were 
delivered in verfc, anti it was necei fary to ret. in them 
by memory; thefe v cries were id numrrom, that fif¬ 
teen and even twenty years were rcouircu tv. learn and 
retain the m. “ This (lays j ui’ms Cecfar) rendered the 
doctrine of the Druids id myileiaous, tha.t Itwas im- 
pofiibie to attain a knowledge ol it.” The Druids 
like wile cultivated the hiC..cc td medicine, and 
the iiiofc implicit confide;, .c was placed in their 


they 


judgement, as the people were pcrluaded 
knew the influence of the flam, and could look 


forward into futuritv. Thefe laves, 
puted, and lb worthy of that: reJpcct, concluded 
by piviug into alhology, magic and divination, 




i. 1 J L j O Ik- 


hoping by thefe means to c/icivafe their cieditand 
authority, as they had percei - . cJ tiiat the people 
were more delighted with the inarvcLous than wim 
truth. They had fume knowledge ol botany, Let 
they mixed fo many liiperfi itu.-m pratTccs v.tfi 
their manner of coliefling p! n , that it v,sidy 


r « 



DOCTRINE OF THE' DRUIDS. 



to perceive they were acquainted with a very final! 
number of them. 

Pliny relates their method of collecting the plan' 
called in Latin Jelago-, it mult be plucked up with 
out the ufe of an inftrument, and with the right 
hand covered with part of the robe ; the plant 
was then to be fhiftcd rapidly into the lef* 
hand, as if it had been Stolen : the perfon col- 
ledlino - it mult be cloathed in white, have the feet 

o 

bare, and have previously offered a Sacrifice of bread 
and wine. Vervain was collected before the rifing 


rr 

b 


i 


of the fun, on the firft of the dog days, after havin 
offered to the earth an expiating Sacrifice, in which 
fruit and honey were employed. This plant, when 

gathered in the manner mentioned, they pretended 

poke fled every virtue, and was a Sovereign re¬ 
medy for all diforders. It was only neceffary to 
rub themfelves with this to obtain whatever they 
defired. It had the powder of reconciling thole 
who were at enmity. Whoever could but toucl 
this plant, felt their hearts inftantly enlivened with 
peace and joy. We mufl likewife rank among 
their fuperllitions a perfualion they entertained, 
that on the death of illuftrious perfons their lords 
railed up florins and tempcfls. 1'he rolling oi 
thunder, all the extraordinary and violent move¬ 
ments of nature, all meteors announced, according 
to them, the death of Some diflinguiflied charadlo 

The Druids took pride in Suffering the opinion to 

prevail, 



pioctrin v . of TMr: nr.vms. 


5 - 1 


prevail, that they could at plcailire change their 


forms, or tranfport themlclves into the regions of 

the air; blit the molt cruel of all their fuperfticious 

practices, was that of lacriricing.human viftims. 

'this barbarous cultom could onlv be abolifhed bv 

• * 

the extirpation of druidihn itldf. That it e .'tilled, 
die numerous edicts o: the Toman emperors to 
prevent it clearly prove. 

The mod folemn of all their ceremonies was 


that of Catherine: the mi lie toe of the oak. 

o 


r i M # 

i ms 


parafitical })lant grows alio upon other trees, but 
the Druids thought that the Divinity had principal¬ 


ly confided lb precious a thing to the oak. 'They 

- i W ' 

traverled the fbrefts with the greatdl cart: in. learch 
of it, and congratulated each other when, after 

J o 

painful reiearches, they had been able to difeover 
a certain quantity of it. 'This plant could only 
be coileflcd in the month of December, and rhe 
flxth day of the moon. 'This month and the nw:n- 
her fix were facreti amoiv the Druids. It v, a- 

v I 

always the fixth Jay of the moon that they j .h r- 
formed their principal arils of religion. On the 
Jay appointed for the ceremony of gathering the 
mifletoe, they aflcmbled themlclves in the jr.of’l 
lolcnm manner, and went in proccflion toward.- 
die place where the plant v.as m be ihuwd. Vvw 
divines walked in from, !>: dr t hc;i n, ai.d hav 
°f praile. A herald rar:w n- 


. * , * lit e 1 . a , v . / 


diele ; then came three ieaiM*--' ihc : 


ill:. 



DRUIDESSES* 


r. i o 


<5* 


ments neceffary for the facrifice, and laftly, tne 
proceflion was clofed by the high priefts, clothed 
In white, followed by an immcnie concourfe r- 


people. When they arrived at the foot of da 
tree, it was afcended by the chief of the Druid \ 


o-i 

1 V , 


who cropped the mi fie toe with a fin all ; 
fey the, when it was received by the Druui; v, i:h 
the molt profound veneration in the frju,: (■?. 


fieri - 


fort of white garment); on receiving it then 
Jiced two white bulls, and this was followed bv 3 
feaft, at the conclufion of which they offered uj, 
prayers to the Divinity that lie would be nleakd 
to attach' to this plant a good fortune vshi 'ii fhoiild 
difFule itfelr through all thafe to whom it fhouid 
be diftributed. 

It was the firft day o: the rear that thev blefilf 

• % + 

the mi fie toe. and diftributed it to toe people. 


OF THU druid: • 



• 1 * / ) 


v. have already i.ud, thru tdc wh< 
morality of the Druids was reduced to three prin¬ 
cipal points. Honour the gods, injure: hoik, aiiu 
be courageous. I low can theie iublime nvunm:. 

O 

be reconciled with the oninon entertained by many, 

♦ « 

that they had the right of life and death over tail: 
wives, children and Haves? <f Paternal and domeUc 
authority (fays Mr. 1’ Abbe Banier) was formed ip- 
on no poiitive law, but only upon relpebt and love. 

Julia 




DRUIDESSES. 


513 


Julius Caefar and Tacitus dwell much upon the 
refpedt which the Gauls and Germans entertained 
for their wives. Thofe of the Druids participated 
in the authority of their hulbands. They were 
confulted in queftions concerning politics or reli¬ 
gion. Even fince the conquefts of the Romans, 
there were temples eretted among the Gauls where 
women only officiated, and which men were 
forbid to enter. The Celts and Gauls (lays Mr. 
Mallet, in his excellent introduction to the hiflory 
of Denmark) ihowed themfeives much, fuperior 
to the caftern nations, wdio pafs from adoration to 
contempt, from fentiments of idolatrous love to 
that of inhuman jealoufy, or ot an indifference 
more infulting than jealoufy. 

The Celts confidered their wives as centals and 

* 

companions, v/hofe efteem and tend( me id could 
only be nobly acquired by attention, generous con- 
dutd, and adds of courage and virtue. 

1 o 

The poems of Oflian prove, that the inhabitants 
of Britain have ever carried that re 1 peel and atten¬ 
tion as far as any nation in the world. Confinin' to 
the firft object of their choice, they never addicted 
themfeives to polygamy, and the tender partner of 
their love frequently followed dtem In d:[guile to 

the war. 

During the brilliant ages of t hDairy we con- 

s*\ ' J 


hantly meet the fame manners and the lame refpect 
for the female fex; this was men. ail'd bv grad- 

** I ^ # 


J 


a J * 


i u tt' ; 



DRUIDESSES. 


T4 


tudej for as loon as a knight was wounded, th 
ladies eagerly prelTed forwards to lend him thej 
affiftance, and almoft all were acquainted wir! 

However, their attention: 


ir 


*1 


the art of healing. 


were not confined to this alone; during the time 

of convalefcence, the charms of their converfation 

ferved to moderate the impetuous courage of the 

knights, and the better to remind them of their 

duty they read to them poems and romances, in 

which whatever heroifm could effedt was reduced 

to adlion. We think then there is great reafon to 

doubt the truth of that opinion which gives the 

druids the horrible right of abufing their power, 

and of opprefTing or even facrificing the innocent 

and defencelefs. Thefe pontiffs were certain!}' 

jealous of their authority, but it was fo great, and 

fo perfcdrlv clldblifhed, that there was no occafion 

to act with cruel :7 in their families to maintain it. 

* 

Their empire was ablolutc over the people | 

none were luperior to them; why then wantonly 

# 

fill with terror the companions who alone could 
give charms to their folitude, the infants who 
were to nwnfmit their names to pofterity, and. 
the Haves whole bufmefs it was to forefee and pro¬ 
vide for their nccclikies? This opinion, if at all 
rnie, can only allude to thole times when the Druids 
and Gauls were in their molt degraded Hatw 

CP 

'There exifed thre e lorts of female Druids, 'i he 

fir ft lived in a Hate of celibacy ; the fccond, though 

m ar - 



DRUIDESSES. 


,515 


married;, re Tided in the temples, where they offi¬ 
ciated, and faw their hufbands only one day in the 

♦ 

year; the third and lafb lived conflantly with their 
hufbands, and fuperintendcd the concerns of their 
families. 

Notwithstanding thefe diflin&ions, thcDruidefles 
in reality formed but two claflcs. 

The fir ft: was compoled of priefccfies, and the 
fecond of women who were fubordinato to them, 
and executed their orders. 


The general refidence of tlie Druideflcs was in 
the idands which border the coafl of England and 
Gaul. The Druids likewile inhabited feme of thefe. 


but never fuch as were occupied by the female 
Druids. It was in thcle ifles that they exercifed 
themlelves moft in magical practice. The 
opinion that they could raife ftorms and tem- 
pefts at plealure, was common to both Gauls and 
Britons. 


The reftlefs curiofity of man e Tee ms the art of 
feeing into futurity, luperior to every other. The 
Druids, after having perlliaded the people that 
they were acquainted with the influence of the flats, 
and had the gift of prophecy, abandoned almoil 
entirely this part of their minifiiy to their wives. 
Having feen the rcfpeG, bordering on idolatry, 
'■vit 1 1 which the Gauls and Germans treated the 


female lex, they perceived that die perfuafons 
and predictions of their wives nooM obtain mud; 


mote 



5>-fc> 


DRUIDESSES. 


more credit and confidence than their own. To 
them they referred all queftions concerning futurity, 
and their anlwers were fo fatisfadory, that their 
reputation fpread over the whole world; the 


■7 

were confulted by people from every nation, and a 
more implicit faith was placed in their decifnns 
than thofe of the Grecian and Italian oracles. They 
were frequently confulted by the emperors when 
mafters of the Gauls. 

ITiftory has preferved feveral of their ar.fwers, 
but makes no particular mention of thofe of the 
Druids. 

We fhall conclude this article by giving the 


o 


mod certain information we can colled of the pe¬ 
riod when the office of both Druid and Druklcft 
was entirely abolifhed. 

Suetonius, Aurelius Vidor, and Seneca, main¬ 
tain, that it was under the emperor Claudius; but 
as it fubfifted long after that period, it nioulcl 
feem that they only ipoke of human ficrilices, 
which were ablblutely interdicted by that emperor. 

Druids and Druidefies were Hill found in the 
country of Chartres till the middle of the fifih 
century, and it appears certain that this order was 
not entirely ex find till die time when Clu ill amity 
completely triumphed over tiie lupcrllitien <>I die 
Gauls, which in fo me provinces did not happen till 
very late. 


F 1 X I S.